‘Huge win’ for Fresno mobile home park residents as city rejects closure plans

The Fresno City Council unanimously rejected a proposal to close the La Hacienda Mobile Estates mobile home park.

Councilmembers also criticized park owner Harmony Communities, airing various complaints against the company and accusing them of operating in bad faith. Frustrated councilmembers said they were again open to finding a new park owner, and that the possibility of seizing the property through eminent domain was on the table.

While residents called Thursday’s hearing a win, the fight to keep tenants in their La Hacienda homes isn’t over.

In an email Friday to Fresnoland, Harmony Communities’ attorney Jason Dilday said that the company still intends to close down the park barring a rent increase.

“The use of ‘proposal’ suggests that the City must approve the Park’s closure. This is not the case. Thursday’s hearing concerned only the sufficiency of the impact report required under [government code],” Dilday said. “This is an optional hearing, meaning it is not required prior to a park closure…City approval is only necessary when local government permits are required. The owner still intends to close the Park in August 2024 unless they can obtain a fair rent.”

Harmony has proposed raising the rent by $350 per month. Arguments over the proposed rent hike were heard this week and a decision is expected Tuesday.

At Thursday’s meeting, Councilmember Miguel Arias drew attention to promises made by Harmony when they initially took charge of La Hacienda — promises he said the company broke by pursuing “aggressive evictions.”

“For me it seems, the only purpose is for them to set up an argument that the park should close to prevent losses,” Arias said, “while intentionally rejecting revenue from tenants who could be paying.”

Following the decision, the council chambers erupted in celebration from tenants. 

“That just made my Thanksgiving,” said Patricia Shawn, park tenant and chair of the park’s rent commission.

Senior Litigator for California Rural Legal Assistance Mariah Thompson described the decision as a “huge win” for park residents.

Thompson was also happy to hear the council entertain the idea of a new owner for the park. 

“We’re very encouraged to hear the conversation about eminent domain,” Thompson said. “We have been talking about that with them and pushing it. It’s my hope that we can start a conversation and just kind of continue it.”