Residents urge Santa Ana to investigate mobile‑home park evictions and alleged coercion

Several residents of a mobile‑home park urged the Santa Ana City Council on Feb. 3 to open an investigation into alleged unfair eviction practices and interference with home sales by an out‑of‑state park owner.

Speakers including Carla Alvarado and Carlos Barragan described tactics they said block residents from selling their mobile homes, force waivers of legal rights and use eviction as leverage. “Using an eviction as leverage to force a homeowner to surrender legal rights is coercion under duress,” Alvarado said during public comment, and she urged the council to hold the corporation accountable and investigate interference with lawful mobile‑home sales.

City staff told the speakers the matter would be evaluated and that staff have requested additional documentation to determine which regulations apply. The city manager and city attorney said they would coordinate with Assemblymember Avelino Valencia’s office, the Public Law Center and other appropriate entities; staff told the council they were awaiting specific information (dates of ownership, whether speakers are owners or renters) before making a final determination about rent‑control applicability.

The speakers asked the council for immediate action to halt evictions and to protect residents—several said children and elderly residents face displacement. Council members and staff acknowledged the urgency and asked staff to reach out to residents for documentation so the city can evaluate legal and regulatory tools.

No formal vote or enforcement action was taken at the meeting; staff said they would follow up with residents and report back once they review the documentation and determine what protections and enforcement options apply under the city’s rent‑control and mobile‑home ordinances.