New protections for residents of mobile and manufactured homes approved in Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION) An ordinance offering new protections for residents of mobile and manufactured homes was approved by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.

The ordinance would require park owners to justify closures. They would also have to give future plans for the property to make sure they are consistent with low-income housing policies.

“Santa Cruz County is an incredibly expensive place to live, and our mobile and manufactured homes are invaluable in offering affordable housing to some of our most vulnerable residents,” Supervisor John Leopold said. “It is incumbent upon us to do all we can to protect and preserve these homes so that people aren’t displaced from our community.”

A recent study showed that between 1998 and 2019, 565 mobile or manufactured home parks were converted statewide, and 17,149 affordable housing units were lost as a result.

Under the new ordinance, if a park closure is improved, the county can attach reasonable conditions to reduce the impact of park closure on residents.

The ordinance is expected to go into effect in early 2020.