SANTA ROSA, CA — The president of Hometown America Management Corporation, whose company owns The Orchard Mobile Home Community in Santa Rosa, responded Thursday to a suit by displaced residents who claim the corporation deliberately delayed their ability to move back to their home sites that were destroyed in the October Tubbs Fire.
Several of the residents, who lived in the Santa Rosa manufactured home community for people 55 and older, announced the class action complaint in Sonoma County Superior Court Tuesday.
The plaintiffs claim Hometown America “basically abandoned” the displaced residents by declining FEMA assistance, delaying cleanup and rebuilding and threatening to charge space rent even though they have not
been able to return to their home sites.
The complaint also alleges Hometown America Management Corporation did not obtain post-fire clearance from Santa Rosa officials to rebuild the residents’ prefabricated manufactured homes for six months, delaying the rebuilding process.
The former residents said they were informed in April they would have to pay $750 a month for their home’s rental space starting Sept. 1 even though they are not living on the site. They also said they have been
prohibited from placing a temporary trailer on their sites while rebuilding.
In an email Thursday, Chicago-based Hometown America Management Corporation president Steven Braun said temporary trailers are not allowed at The Orchard located off Pinecrest Road.
Braun also said residents have an obligation to their lease and Hometown America abated rent during the remediation and approval process.
“We anticipate commencing rent again on Sept. 1, 2018, but will continue to review this decision as construction timelines become more clear,” Braun said.
The suit also says some of the residents have decided not to return, and Hometown America Management stands to profit from selling mobile homes and leasing space to new residents at higher prices.
Braun said Hometown America is providing a “discounted resource to residents by rebuilding homes at cost, plus 10 percent to account for overhead expenses.
“This is approximately a $100,000 to $150,000 discount off the current market,” Braun said.
Residents also claimed they were prohibited from choosing an outside manufactured home seller.
Braun said the residents own the homes but lease the land from Hometown America.
“They do not need permission from Hometown America to purchase a home from another dealer. They are free to work with whomever they want,” Braun said.
“Homeowners must meet guidelines,” Braun said, “including local zoning and set back requirements and architectural standards outlined in the rules.”
The suit states 78 homes burned and Hometown America Management told the residents it could only build 20 to 25 homes a year. Production of the manufactured homes would stop in November 2018 and resume in Spring 2019, according to the complaint.
Braun said 68 of the 233 homes burned, and four contracts have been signed with residents.
The suit alleges violations of mobile home residency law and the California Business and Professions Code, elder abuse, and breach of written contract. The plaintiffs seek damages, restitution, attorney fees and other
costs of the suit and a jury trial.
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