BOISE, Idaho — In 2008, then 65-year-old Gordon Hastings moved to Glenbrier Park — a manufactured home community for seniors in Boise — because it was the most affordable housing option he could find.
For years, he paid $320 a month. However, 15 years and several rent hikes later from various owners, Hastings said the out-of-state real estate investment company currently managing the park, Investment Property Group, charges more than $700 a month.
Hastings said he, along with some of his neighbors, are getting priced out because they are on fixed incomes.
"It used to be affordable," he said. "But now, with you own the house; they own the land, you're no longer renting; you're paying ransom because you have no control over it."
Hastings, 80, said he is on the job hunt to help pay his monthly housing expenses. He is not alone.
Glenbrier resident Al Bartz, 84, drives 20 hours a week for Lyft and Uber to ensure he and his wife can pay rent.
"I like this place," he said, "but can't afford it. But you can't sell either because nobody will buy."
There are very few protections for owners of manufactured homes in Idaho. Holly Apsley, LEAP Housing ROC program manager, said that is because the Gem State has very "investor friendly laws" and "wants to maintain that kind of business environment."
Apsley said LEAP can help certain manufactured home communities buy the community from its owners so they can run it themselves.
However, that is not an option for every park. She said it is really up to policymakers — at the local and state levels — to help people living in manufactured homes stay in their homes despite rising rent.
"I would love to see the state, the counties, the cities recognize that these are really valuable forms of housing; that they serve populations that really need it; that they are a dense use of land that to me fits a lot of a lot of the vision for the future of Boise," she said.
Currently, the Gem State does not have rent control, something Hastings and Bartz hope lawmakers change soon.
KTVB reached out to the City of Boise about Glenbrier's rising rent. A spokesperson said they are concerned about housing stability and that cities cannot limit rent increases.
"We have worked hard to recently pass additional renter protections and will continue to work with partners to ensure safe and healthy places to live exist at every budget level," the spokesperson said.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist:
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET NEWS FROM KTVB:
Download the KTVB News Mobile App
Apple iOS: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Watch news reports for FREE on YouTube: KTVB YouTube channel
Stream Live for FREE on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching 'KTVB'.
Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download.