Donna Lessard

My name is Donna Lessard, and I live in Whispering Pines Manufactured Home Community in Titusville, FL. I moved here because I could not keep up with the rising costs of rent in California after I had been deemed disabled. 

Donna stands in front of a manufactured home. She has an oxygen tube and is smiling. 

I chose to live in a mobile home community because, after much research, I realized they were an affordable choice of housing for someone on a fixed income. My disability is a progressive disability that very much limits my lifestyle. I have pulmonary hypertension, COPD, recurring blood clots, spinal issues, and congestive heart failure. I was given minimal time to live out my life, and living in a mobile home seemed like a feasible way to live comfortably.

I have lived in my community for 16 months. Since the new owners took over 3 months ago, I have seen drastic changes that have affected not only my health, but the health of my neighbors. I did months of research on my community before I purchased here, and was repeatedly assured by neighbors and the previous owners that rent raises often ranged between $15-20. When Parakeet took over, they raised the rent $120.

I built out my five year budget (which matches my life expectancy) with the thought that rent increases would be minimal and I would be able to cover all of my expenses, including my rent. The owners of my community refuse to answer how much they will raise lot rent in the coming years and I'm afraid I won’t be able to live my final years in peace.

We don't have to reinvent the wheel, but we do need legislators to take a step towards protecting mobile home residents from predatory businesses that are taking advantage of the elderly and low-income communities.