Mobile Home Park Residents Express Concerns About Park Owners

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Residents of mobile home parks around Iowa City gathered Wednesday to voice concerns about landlords “Havenpark Communities.”

The Utah-based company has three mobile home parks in Iowa City and five in Johnson County. Havenpark recently announced an extension of the West Branch mobile home park in Johnson County.

Residents sent a letter to Havenpark expressing their concerns. They also collected over 40 signatures to accompany this letter.

One of their many concerns is being able to stay in the communities they have lived in for over 20 years.

“I want to stay as independent as possible. And right now…it’s very uncertain,” said resident Judy Mckillip.

Residents of Lake Ridge, Modern Manor and Sunrise Village mobile home parks came together to share their concerns about the Havenpark communities.

They say that with many residents living on fixed incomes, rent increases and amenities they now have to pay for, many fear they won’t be able to make ends meet.

“They don’t mind doubling your spending…if you only have $20, you can’t spend $30.” And for some people here, including me, another $500 on my bills, puts me out of a house, puts me without power or puts me without heat or puts me without something,” Mckillip said.

Some of these amenities that were previously provided include lawn service, winter snow removal, and more.

Residents said rent will rise from $375 to $410 in December and is expected to rise to $600 in the future.

“This amount is not what low-income people can afford,” said resident Lory VanAllen.

But their biggest fear is losing their home completely.

“The hardest reality for me is that if you don’t pay within three days, you will be considered eviction within a month,” VanAllen said.

“Every day you wonder what will happen next. And at 80, I don’t want to look for a fucking place to live. It’s just out of place,” Mckillip said.

Copyright 2022 KCRG. All rights reserved.