Barbara Garnier

I moved into Capital Estates Mobile Home Park in 2008. I like the idea of having my own place and having a community. That really means a lot.

At least 50 percent of my income goes to housing costs, and I don’t have a lot left after paying for housing. Breakfast with friends was going to cost almost twenty dollars the other day; I said, “I’ll just have a side of potatoes.”

I love my house but I’m not happy anymore in this park. Nobody likes living here anymore. The manager randomly picks on people, so you never know when you’re next. When the owners say to me “we own this place”, meaning the land, they think it trumps everything. Our homes are valuable too, but they don’t see it that way. The manager has made the park a hostile environment.

I’m excited about the idea of manufactured home parks being produced and funded by the government with a repayment plan so residents can eventually own their own parks. A mobile home park is a great way to live. This is the way an elderly single person like me, or families with small children can feel safe.

We need a Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance in Sacramento for people who are victimized by unethical corporate owners and abusive managers. With this support, people will have more confidence in local governance, they’ll feel more stable, and they’ll have an effective voice as tenants. It opens a door for people to understand how engaged citizens can work with our elected officials to support the average person and our community.