At a Shasta County Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisors Allen Long and Chris Kelstrom announced an agreement with Harmony Communities to postpone a scheduled 30% rent increase in Riverland Mobile Home Ranch and Bixby Knolls Mobile Home Park until at least March 2027. The original plan would have raised monthly rent from $625 to $985 on Dec. 1, a move that sparked immediate concern among the parks’ residents.
According to Shasta Scout, the delay was presented as a temporary measure to give the county time to consider a rent‑stabilization ordinance similar to one recently adopted in neighboring Tehama County. The supervisors hope the pause will build trust and avoid the need for new legislation, though they acknowledged that residents were not included in the initial negotiation.
Residents voiced frustration that they were excluded from the discussion. Bixby Knolls resident Crystal Baker, who started a petition for rent stabilization after receiving the notice on Aug. 31, asked, “Why were us mobile home owners or our representatives not involved or included with this agreement?” Another unnamed homeowner warned that they did not ask supervisors to act as a liaison, but rather to recognize the vulnerability of mobile‑home owners and pursue legal protections.
Harmony Communities’ CEO Matt Davies responded by email, saying the company “continues to work with county supervisors and residents to ensure affordable rents and a viable long‑term path forward for the parks, so they can continue serving residents for generations to come.” The company also highlighted a $300 credit that would accompany the increase, though residents remain uneasy about the credit’s reliability.
Attorney Josh Divine, representing the homeowners pro bono, sent a letter to the board on Nov. 4 urging a delay and emphasizing that the supervisors should focus on permanent legislative action rather than mediating between residents and the management company.
Supervisor Kevin Crye had earlier called for a 30‑day response to residents’ concerns, but the board ultimately chose to continue negotiations with Harmony, hoping the 90‑day pause would allow both sides to reach a more durable agreement. Kelstrom noted, “I prefer not to have to pass a rent ordinance, but the people have to feel protected and have to feel comfortable.”
What’s next: The county plans to hold further discussions with Harmony Communities and resident representatives in the coming months. Supervisors Long and Kelstrom indicated that a formal rent‑stabilization ordinance could be drafted if negotiations do not produce a satisfactory long‑term solution. Residents are encouraged to stay engaged through upcoming public meetings, which will be announced on the Shasta County website.
Sources: shastascout.org
