Saco approves moratorium on rent increases in mobile home parks

Mobile home parks are temporarily restricted from raising lot rents in Saco.

The Saco City Council on Monday unanimously approved a moratorium on rent increases in mobile home parks, which was awarded by hearty applause from residents of a local mobile home park.

The issue came to the forefront after several residents from Blue Haven Mobile Home Park off Route One spoke out at City Council meetings, asking for the city’s assistance.

Councilor Phil Hatch thanked all the residents who came up to the podium to speak to the Council, share their stories and ask for help.

“As hard as it was, I want you to know how impactful that is,” he said.

Blue Haven residents say they received a letter from the park owner in August notifying them that all lot rents will increase to $660 monthly, beginning Dec. 1. This would be the second rent increase this year, which would be a total a 28 percent rent increase for some residents. Several residents told city councilors that they are disabled or seniors on fixed incomes, and they did not know if they could afford the increase.

“It was something that people could afford when other places were out of reach to them,” said Blue Haven resident Lynn Johnson. However, with potential lot rate increases, it will no longer be affordable for some, she said.

The moratorium is in effect until Dec. 26. It will give the City Council time to review the issue as well as new state laws regarding mobile home parks, before it decides to consider a mobile home rent control ordinance or other local regulation.

The State of Maine has passed a law that is directing the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future to draft a model mobile home park lot rent stabilization ordinance by Dec. 31 for local municipalities to consider for adoption. Should the City Council want to wait until this is completed before it makes any decisions, it can extend the moratorium.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.