Melinda Sadiki

A woman with red hair stands in front of the front door of a home. She's wearing a gray sweatshirt that says "New York".

My name is Melinda Sadiki. I moved to Pleasant Valley MHP in Gansevoort, NY, in November 2023. I moved here because I was desperate for a place to live. Our area is becoming more touristy and affordable housing is becoming less available as a result. Right now, I can only afford to rent here at the park.

We’re supposed to have garbage removal and propane included in our lot rent fees. Shortly after moving in, my trash wasn’t getting picked up anymore. The fuel to heat my house also got very low and when I called the fuel company, they said they couldn’t refill it until the owner paid. I've had issues with my furnace, inadequate plumbing, and shoddy flooring. I’m living with a fleece blanket over my front door to stay warm, but it still won’t keep the bugs out. It’s just poorly maintained. The building department even found multiple violations.

I started withholding rent so the owner would fix the issues and was threatened with eviction twice. Half my monthly income goes towards housing expenses. If we have to pay so much in rent, community owners should be held accountable for addressing our concerns. My sister lives in a senior manufactured home community, so I know these issues don’t just affect me.

I didn’t ask for this. I just want to be able to live happily and safely where I’m at. If I had to move now, I’d be homeless. Owners need to treat us with respect. Thankfully, I connected with MHAction and together we’re advocating for owner accountability, working to educate other residents about their rights, and meeting with our representatives to push for protections for our communities.