The Push to Preserve Mobile Home Communities

Residents say that WA-based management company Hurst & Son LLC is responsible for price hikes, reduced services and other grievances. Mobile home communities have long served as an affordable-housing option for Washington residents, but many say they’re now being priced out of their homes.  Crosscut reporters Farah Eltohamy and Mai Hoang investigated allegations against Hurst & Son LLC, a company that has acquired dozens of mobile home parks across the state in recent years. Some residents allege that the company is responsible for rent hikes, new fees and reduced services.   Now these community members are pushing back against Hurst & Son – which is not the only company that has been accused of these practices.  In this episode of Crosscut Reports, host Sara Bernard talks with Eltohamy about why mobile homes are not in fact mobile; the different ways community members are advocating for themselves; and why it’s so important for them to stay where they are.  Read our full report on the fight to preserve mobile home communities here.  --- Credits Host/Producer: Sara Bernard and Scot Michael   Reporter: Farah Eltohamy and Mai Hoang Executive producer: Sarah Menzies --- If you would like to support Crosscut, go to crosscut.com/membership. In addition to supporting our events and our daily journalism, members receive complete access to the on-demand programming of Seattle’s PBS station, KCTS 9.