Pittsfield Board Approves Mobile Home Rent Increase
 |
Owners M.H. Communities Ltd. came before the board in early 2011 seeking a $56 increase, which was eventually approved. This increase, however, was made void by the state in May 2011 when it was realized that the owners had failed to comply with an annual licensing requirement for about three decades.
Having rectified the licensing issue, the owners returned to the board this time for a $70 increase, citing rising operational costs and increased tax burden for which they are responsible.
"Rent control is not subsidized housing," said attorney Ralph Cianflone Jr., on behalf of M.H. Communities.
Cianflone pointed out that in many ways the Lake Onota Village is like a "city unto itself," where the owners provide water, electricity, phone and plowing services seperate from the city.
"One of the biggest expenses that has really resolved our having to come back at this time is that in the city of Pittsfield the taxes have gone up tremendously," Cianflone said, indicating the village's assesment for the coming year was expected to increase another $800,000.
About 30 residents in attendance spoke adamantly against the increase, arguing that the rates were too high and put an unacceptable burden on them.
"We weren't against an increase like they've been doing — but $56 a month is a lot," said Donna Garzino, referring to the original increase figure sought by M.H. Communities. Garzino said this is especially a hardship to some tenants who are still paying off mortgages on their unit as well.
Rates at Lake Onota Village have increased only four times since the early 1980s. The current average rent for a lot, which includes various services but is separate from the purchase of the unit itself, is about $315, and will raise to $365 later this summer.
"Most of us here are on fixed incomes," said resident Geri Rice. "How are we supposed to live?"
At one point, debate at the podium between one resident and Cianflone became so heated that Chairman Tanya Mullin had to call a five-minute recess in order to re-establish order.
"While subsidized housing is not what we're here to determine when we're looking at the facts and figures," said board member Justine Dodds, "To me, the essence of the ordinance was put in place because mobile homes are very different from apartments and if you can't afford the rent increase, you can't lift your mobile home and take it off the site."
"I have driven through the park a few times since our last few meetings, I was there this afternoon. For the most part it's a well-maintained park," said board member Peter White, though he said grass was unacceptably high in front of four vacant units, asking for something to be done about this.
In response to the discussion that took place at the meeting, M.H. Communities changed its rent increase request to $50, down $20 from what it had initially come before the board for.
The revised increase request was approved by a 3-2 vote, with Mullin, White and Kenneth Faris in favor, and Dodds and Javier Dominguez opposed.
The 5.5. percent increase will go into effect on Aug. 1.
Tags: mobile home, mobile home park, rent control,
