One of Thompsons clients is 80 years old, making $800 a month and paying $700 in rent. All Rights Reserved. Your questions and concerns are important to us. $100.00. Defendants Harmony Communities, Inc. and Mathew Davies' Answer to Complaint by Donna Braxton (amount over $25,000) filed by Davies, Matthew; Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation. Recent California laws offering rent control and just-cause eviction protections dont apply to mobile home parks, she said. The lawsuit also claims Harmony Communities sent residents leases without terms that are required under the law. At a time when local news is more important than ever, support from our readers is essential. Action Type: Summons - Civil; Judge: Ross, Roger. Because of the consequences of not paying the rent, people who own mobile homes will always pay the rent, Thompson said. Finally, one place to get all the court documents we need. And a notice given to a resident at Shady Lakes in January shows that rent will rise to $628 starting this April, a 72 percent increase over the past few years. Donna Braxton vs Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation et al. In the deposition process, it came out that the rent increase is part of Harmony Communities business practice to bring the property up to market rates, said Thompson. Harmony also implemented oppressive, unreasonable rules in the park. Residents are prohibited from having anything outside of their home except barbeques, patio furniture, and bicycles. The park has been operating at a loss for several years and has been fighting to keep this park open so no resident will have to move, the letter stated. $(document).keydown(function(e){ The two General Plan amendment projects approved by the board of supervisors last month represent a total of 779 new housing units in Harmony Grove and Eden Valley, south of Escondido. }); $0.00. Harmony Communities did not respond to requests for comment. Receipt number 597503. If you do not agree with these terms, then do not use our website and/or services. We believe in charging a fair market rent as well as providing subsidies to those in need. Some family members have gone out to work in the fields to make up for added costs. The anticipated target price for the tiny homes is expected to be around $89,950. e.preventDefault(); The Judge overseeing this case is Cullers, Mark. And in a. Action Type: Request for Dismissal; Judge: Waters, Robert T.. Request for Dismissal - Entire Action as to Donna Braxton, Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation, Matthew Davies Entered. She previously worked for the Phnom Penh Post in Cambodia and the Las Vegas Review-Journal in Nevada. "They are well regarded by the State Housing and Community Development Department," said Adams. The park has been an affordable option for the families and has provided them with the stability of home ownership as well as a tight-knit community. But a court-appointed receiver says selling to Harmony Communities is the best route to bring the community up to safety standards, as the company plans to invest $300,000 into improvements. explains why any relief sought by the complainant cannot or should not be granted. Proof of Service of Summons as to Matthew Davies served on 12/02/2020 by Substituted Service. Water bills range anywhere from $50 to $200, Thompson said. *In Canada, trademark(s) of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, used under License. The management company also instituted 29 rules, which were described in the lawsuit as burdensome, unreasonable, oppressive, and unnecessary.. Trucking Why is this public record being published online? Residents asked not to be identified by name in the lawsuit and also asked not to be named in this story over concerns of retaliation and possible eviction. Roger Ross in Department 11B. }); And in a Fresno County case last year, residents at the Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park filed a lawsuit alleging the company unfairly hiked rents and harassed tenants. After adding new utility fees that had been parceled out and another increase, in some cases rent had climbed over 100% since 2019. Transmission and receipt of the information in this site is not intended to solicit or create, and does not create, any attorney-client relationship between CRLA, Inc. and any person or entity. Visit CRLA.org for all our latest news & information. Our work impacts farmworkers, individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, LGBT communities, women, children and families in rural areas. Heres why, Federal judge issues new charges for Goshen massacre suspect in Operation Nightmare, Model agency pushed performers into prostitution and porn, California prosecutors say. George Antypas, Harmony Communities' regional manager, defended the rent increase, saying in a statement that median home prices in Golden are almost $800,000, while the average manufactured . Ultimately what happens is residents are responsible for upholding their own rights and seeking judicial adjudication of their rights, which is very difficult because mobile home residents are some of the most vulnerable populations, and do not have access to the legal system, normally, she said. Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating, BBB Business Scam Alert: Out-of-Town homeowners con contractors with fake checks, Need to file a complaint? At the time the lawsuit was filed, shortly after Harmony Communities had purchased the property, rent had increased 32%. DocketAttorney, Sanjay Bansal, retained for Donna Braxton . However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles. The community suffered two destructive fires in April and June of 2021. 2011 - CRLA Web design: LaserCom Design, San Francisco Photos by David Bacon & CRLA archives, ABOUT USMission & VisionBoard of DirectorsVictories Jobs & IntershipsVideosContact Us 2017 - CRLAWeb design: LaserCom Design, San FranciscoPhotos by David Bacon & CRLA archives, SUPPORT USDonateEventsCy Pres AwardProBono AssistanceFoundation & GrantsVolunteer, RESOURCESCOVID-19En EspaolCRLA NewsPress ReleasesPublicationsMedia, Visit CRLA.org for all our latest news & information, Visite CRLA.org para conocer nuestras ltimas noticias e informacin. They also said the park authorities refuse to provide notices in Spanish. In total the supervisors are expected to hear seven GPAs by the end of this year, including Newland Sierra, a 2,135-unit development in Twin Oaks Valley north of Escondido and possibly the 1,746-unit Lilac Hills Ranch project in Valley Center. Water bills range anywhere from $50 to $200, Thompson said. Harmony immediately raised space rent by $130.00a 32% increase that made rents unaffordable to families living in the park. With the job that we have, it wont be enough, he said in Spanish. The evacuation plan was also approved by the County Fire Authority and Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District. Outside of the financial reasons keeping them there, most of the residents come from the same area in Oaxaca a state in southern Mexico. Harmony immediately raised space rent by $130.00a 32% increase that made rents unaffordable to families living in the park. Residents have now retained an attorney to negotiate a purchase of the property. Judge: Ross, Roger. Measures included including a third travel lane for the entirety of Country Club Drive, fuel modification zones on site and ignition resistant construction. Photo by Edward Smith. Thank you for your interest in social justice! Our residents include retirees as well as hardworking families, and it is our honor to serve them by building and maintaining safe, affordable communities. While it is a bit larger than we would normally like, it is necessary to staunch the bleeding, the letter said. As the roofing started going up I knew 100% they were building the wrong home. In San Rafael in 2022, Harmony Communities sent notices to residents that they were closing the park. Share Price and terms were agreed to but, again, they couldnt perform and ultimately backed out. This represents a missed opportunity to recapture for public benefit some part of the gain in land value resulting from their public action.. I have tried to appeal to the builder to no avail. The company was also involved in a controversial 2018 RV park rent hike in San Leandro, which does not have rent control. A complaint was filed with the California Public Utilities Commission that the increases were not in line with actual costs. Hearing regarding: Jury Trial Assignment (est 7-10 days), set for 07/25/2022 at 1:30 PM before Hon. With the legal action, the united rural communities of Harmony Grove, Elfin Forest and Eden Valley will question whether the projects were approved in violation of county and state fire code regulations. According to a release, the lawsuit is being filed to "protect public safety, defend the integrity of the County's . DocketNotice of Case Assignment and Scheduling Information. She belittled my fiance and I because we look young and said how their error was a small problem in the world and that its not a big issue. Judge: Ross, Roger. As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. The Chico State graduate is passionate about being outdoors, cooking, creative writing and community-focused journalism and resilience. Hearing Type: Case Management Conference; Court Room: 11B; Result: Held; Judge: Robert T. Waters; Participant: Donna Braxton (Plaintiff); Participant: Harmony Communities, Inc., a California corporation (Defendant); Participant: Matthew Davies (Defendant). Judge: Ross, Roger. Summons issued and filed. The complaint outlines the unlawful behavior Harmony Communities uses to control and intimidate families living in the Park and alleges that Harmony Communities is in violation of state and federal laws including the Fair Housing Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Unfair Competition Law, the Business and Professions Code, and the Mobile Home Residency Law. addresses all significant issues raised by the complainant, includes appropriate evidence and documents supporting the business' position, and. Use of editorial content without permission is strictly prohibited. She said it is common for those ordinances to be challenged. Under terms of the lawsuit, residents would at most compel ownership to better maintain the property they acquired in 2019 as well as get them to undo what they say is retaliation against the lawsuit. They speak Mixteco. "I don't think we moved into a gated community where they can tell you exactly how you can have your yard," said resident Patricia Shawn. On Aug. 23, the notices of intent to sue were filed on behalf of the Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Town Council, Endangered Habitats League and the Cleveland National Forest Foundation. Retired Its discrimination against us, the 38-year-old father said in Spanish. Harmony Communities, Inc., (Harmony) a Stockton-based corporation that operates more than twenty mobile home parks throughout California and Oregon, took over Shady Lakes in April 2018. Action Type: Case Management Statement; Judge: Waters, Robert T.. Minutes finalized for Case Management Conference held on 05/04/2021 08:30 AM . Harmony Communities did not respond to requests for comment. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Rancho Santa Fe Review. A complaint was filed with the California Public Utilities Commission that the increases were not in line with actual costs. Don't waste your time with this company, you'll regret it. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at Harmony Communities. Aug. 28, 2018 10 AM PT. The 53-year-old man said all residents who are part of the lawsuit work in the field seasonally. Many of the 60 families at Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park near Chestnut and Lincoln avenues have lived there for well over a decade, drawn by the lower cost of living. He insists the changes being made are necessary to prevent another tragedy at the park. The letter stated it was because the park was not profitable and a city ordinance had kept them from increasing rent, according to the Marin Independent Journal. (AP) A Montana beekeeper has recovered hives that were, Starting in 1999, prices for agricultural land in the South, Visitors to the Central Valley spent more than $1.96 billion, Amazon.com today announced plans to open a fulfillment center in, Select industry Website: www.harmonycommunities.com Headquarters: Vancouver, Canada Size: 201 to 500 Employees Type: Company - Private Revenue: Unknown / Non-Applicable Competitors: Unknown Harmony Communities Reviews 2.6 0 % Recommend to a Friend 3.0 Current Employee "great company" Apr 4, 2022 - Administrative Assistant Pros hours no weekends The problem is buying it at a price that would allow residents to bring rent down. The reality is the land is worth much more than operating an RV Park for affordable housing. West. At a time when quality affordable housing is disappearing fast, it is our mission to expand options for economical and beautiful housing in the states and communities in which we operate. Pedestrian hit and killed by train in Fresno. In a statement to The Bee, company representatives denied many of the residents claims. Judge: Waters, Robert T.. Request for Dismissal filed by Braxton, Donna. The company quickly proved the Golden Hills residents' fears correct, applying 50-percent rent increases and issuing a 12-page single-spaced list of new park rules. She believes residents buying the park as a cooperative is the best solution. UniCourt uses cookies to improve your online experience, for more information please see our Privacy Policy. , El Grupo Comunitario de San Miguel Cuevas (El Grupo Comunitario) is an unincorporated resident association that primarily represents low-wage farmworker families residing in Shady Lakes Mobile Home Park, a small mobile home community located approximately one mile south of Malaga in Fresno County.. But to lower rents, they would have to buy at a price that wouldnt set in stone the increased rates. Yesenia Amaro covers immigration and diverse communities for The Fresno Bee. Judge: Waters, Robert T.. DocketProof of Service of Summons as to Matthew Davies served on 12/02/2020 by Substituted Service. Action Type: First Paper Unlimited Civil (amount over $25,000); Judge: Ross, Roger. All Rights Reserved. Insurance 2022-09-06, Fresno County Superior Courts | Other | Public Records Policy. But if the developer chooses to ignore the citys warning, Mason said, she worries they can do whatever they want.. Roger Ross in Department 11B. Hearing Result: Vacated Judge: Waters, Robert T.. Case status updated to Disposed. Well guide you through the process. It is not a recreational vehicle park, subject to a different statutory scheme, he wrote. On 05/09/2022 this business's accreditation in the BBB was revoked by the BBB's Board of Directors due to failure by the business to adhere to the BBB requirement that Accredited Businesses meet and abide by the following standards: This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. DocketCivil Case Cover Sheet filed by Braxton, Donna. A meeting was held in May 2022 by the CPUC to hear the matter. Fair market rent as well as providing subsidies to those in need agree with terms...: Jury Trial Assignment ( est 7-10 days ), set for 07/25/2022 at 1:30 PM before Hon 29! 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