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February 06. 2016 12:01AM Since You Asked: Advocacy groups limited by lack of rent control Do you know of a person or organization that is an advocate for residents in manufactured home parks who are being subjected to the financial demands of out-of-state park owners? Many residents are seniors on fixed incomes, and these increases are posing real financial hardships. It would be VER Y helpful if you could refer residents to any person or organization who could represent us. Thank You! — Janice D., via email Janice, we can give you a name but, unfortunately, so long as rent control is prohibited in Oregon, it won’t be much help. The Manufactured Housing/Oregon State Tenants Association (MH/OSTA) serves as an advocate for those living in mobile home parks statewide. MH/OSTA directors are available on weekdays to answer questions, explain the law and, if necessary, appeal to legislators on your behalf. Call 1-800-423-9371. However, in regard to your situation, their hands are tied unless there are provisions in your contract with the park owners that are not being adhered to. “It’s nonstop rent increase, rent increase, rent increase, and all we can do is say there is no rent control,” said Gary Walters, president of the MH/OSTA board. A law (ORS 91.225) passed in 1985 forbids cities and counties from enacting rent control except “when a natural or man-made disaster … materially eliminates a significant portion of the rental housing supply.” Walters said your best bet is to call your state representatives and complain. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected] . To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20160206/NEWS/160209856 © 2016 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->