Whittier Seniors Say Rising Rent Has Them Trapped in Their Mobile Homes
Residents own their homes but rent the land underneath them. They say that leaves them unable to afford the rent or find a buyer.
Since 2023, residents of the Whittier Downs Mobile Home Park say they have had their rent increase to worrying levels.
Located at 11730 Whittier Boulevard right by the Victory Outreach church, the park is a community consisting of retirees and senior citizens. All of the residents have their own leases, paid from and relying on their Social Security pensions. In 2023, the prior park management had retired and the park’s owner entrusted the properties to a management company called Les Frame Management.
The company currently manages five other park properties alongside the Whittier location, and in the last few years they have reportedly increased the land rent by 3% annually. According to resident Vivian Mendoza, this increased land lease is added onto other bills and expenses that residents have to pay.
After residents say they have received little accountability or assistance from management, some residents brought their concerns to the Whittier City Council on Sept. 22.
