City's protection of mobile home residents no longer a priority

It appears that some of the most affordable housing in Conejo Valley is about to disappear. Would anyone in their right mind buy a mobile home in Thousand Oaks today--knowing they can be evicted at the whim of a new landowner tomorrow?

On Jan. 9, 2007, T.O. city staff recommended a one-year moratorium extension to prevent the raider of Conejo Mobile Home Park, 1200 Newbury Road, from converting the park and kicking out residents who have lived there for up to three decades.

A year ago the city strove to "protect the public safety, health and welfare of the residents of mobile home parks as well as general citizens."

That tune changed recently. The Dec. 18 city staff report for Conejo Mobile Home Park doesn't mention protecting residents of mobile home parks. The City Council also neglected to answer questions about the housing element of the Thousand Oaks General Plan, which states the city takes responsibility for protecting 1,090 mobile homes in Thousand Oaks. In fact, it appears that protecting mobile homes has been dropped from the city's top priorities for fiscal year 2007-08 altogether.

On Sat., Jan. 12, the city hosted a meeting to update Conejo Mobile Home Park residents. The residents began with a prayer to save their homes plus a tribute to their former president, Rich Erickson, who died abruptly in 2007. Thereafter, Councilmember Andy Fox told residents that although the city has the ability to help purchase the land, it won't do so. Furthermore, he said residents shouldn't expect to receive fair market value for their "coaches."

Many residents are retired or disabled and live on fixed low incomes. They now must endure the physical and emotional stress of eviction in an unknown time frame to unknown locations.

The residents of Conejo Mobile Home Park would benefit from the support of our caring community. The next public hearing is currently scheduled for 6 p.m., Jan. 22 at City Hall, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Let's hope their prayers get answered.
Janet Wall
Thousand Oaks

Wall formerly served on the city's planning commission.