Several mobile-home residents used the public-comment period to ask the La Habra City Council to adopt a space-rent stabilization ordinance to limit unpredictable and substantial rent increases in local mobile-home parks. Speakers described a demographic of predominantly older residents on fixed incomes for whom large or frequent rent increases pose a serious housing-security risk.

Linda Hudak of Friendly Village described five common components of space-rent stabilization proposals, including an annual allowable rent adjustment often tied to the consumer price index, capital-improvement pass-throughs that are spread over the useful life of improvements and identified on rent statements, vacancy-control limits to protect homeowner equity, a fair-rate-of-return process for park owners that provides a hearing if owners claim inadequate return, and an impartial rent-review board with the right to appeal. "For example, if the CPI rises 4% and the ordinance allows only 75% of the amount, then rent could increase no more than 3%," Hudak explained as part of her outline of standard ordinance mechanics.

Mary Ann Mendel, also of Friendly Village, said the park is a senior community and many residents live on fixed incomes. "We purchase our homes and rent the lands that it sits on," she said, noting that physical relocation is costly and often impractical. Mendel and other speakers said space rent in some parks had risen substantially over the last decade and that residents seek stability and predictable adjustments.

No council action on a mobile-home space-rent ordinance was taken at the meeting; the topic appeared only in public comment. The council did not indicate a schedule for staff analysis or a future agenda item on the subject during this meeting.