RSG prepared a comprehensive affordable housing compliance monitoring manual for the Carson Redevelopment Agency and initiated the City’s first annual compliance monitoring in 2007. RSG continues to serve as consultant staff for the Carson Housing Authority providing housing asset management and annual compliance monitoring services for 11 multifamily projects (693 units) including recertification of tenant qualifying incomes, verification of affordable rents, and annual reporting to the Authority and HCD on the project’s compliance under the SB341 requirements. Database management of 118 homeownership units, including inventory, ownership verification, resale affordable sales price, and housing cost calculation.
In 2021, Aleshire & Wynder, on behalf of the City of Carson, hired RSG to prepare a low- and moderate-income housing impact analysis to help the City make findings in connection to proposed mobile home park closures and conversions. RSG examined the City’s RHNA requirements, annual housing production progress, and low- and moderate-income housing options to determine the jurisdiction’s housing needs. Working with both the Planning and Housing Departments, RSG also collected information on housing projects currently under construction or in the pipeline.
RSG determined that the closure of the Rancho Dominguez mobile home park would materially contribute to the shortage of housing options for low- and moderate-income households. RSG also found that the relocation impact report prepared by the park owner did not adequately mitigate the effect of the closure of the mobile home park on the displaced residents. RSG’s analysis and recommendations led to the owner of the mobile home park to offer its displaced residents additional compensation to mitigate the loss of their mobile home.
In 2011, RSG conducted an audit of the City of Carson’s mobilehome rent control ordinance. The audit reviewed the City’s ordinance and procedures and analyzed historical data to recommend revised rent increase application process and procedures. The process resulted in the City adopting an automatic consumer price index annual rent adjustment.
Since 2017, RSG Principal Tara Matthews has served as the City’s Interim Housing Program Manager. In this role, she administers the City’s mobilehome park rent control program. The scope of services includes the following:
- Rent Increase Application Review and Processing – RSG reviews all applications submitted by park owners seeking either a capital improvement or a fair return rent increase. RSG ensures that each application is complete and adheres to the Program guidelines. This review includes closely evaluating each of the expenses submitted by the park owner to ensure that each reported expense is reasonable, accurate, and sufficiently documented. RSG’s work includes frequent communication with park owners and residents, as well as collaboration with the City’s legal counsel.
- Resident Noticing – Once an application is deemed complete, RSG prepares required noticing for the park residents and is available to answer any questions that the park residents may have. RSG is available for on-site visits as needed to allow park residents an opportunity to review the application and ask in-person questions.
- Park Inspections – The processing of each application requires an inspection of the mobilehome park which entails visually inspecting the condition of the park (for fair return rent increase applications) or verifying the completion and quality of improvements to the park (for capital improvement rent increase applications). The findings of the inspection are included in the staff report present to the Mobilehome Rental Review Board (“Board”). One of the City’s contract inspectors accompanies RSG at these inspections to provide expertise on the park conditions and improvements.
- Public Hearing – RSG prepares the public hearing notices mailed to park residents. RSG also prepares the staff reports presented to the Board for consideration at the public hearings. Each staff report includes all material facts related to the application and outlines various rent increase options for the Board to consider. RSG attends all public hearings to present information to the Board and answer any questions posed by the Board.
- Staff Training – RSG created a manual and templates for staff to administer the annual CPI calculations.
- Point of Contact – RSG responds to general inquiries from park owners, park residents, and the general public regarding the City’s mobilehome park rent control program.
Finally, RSG assisted with residential relocation services for Imperial Avalon Mobile Estates in the City of Carson, on behalf of residential developer Faring. RSG held community meetings onsite to update residents on the status of the closure of Imperial Avalon and prepared personalized packages of documents for each mobile home space outlining relocation options available to them, frequently asked questions, and resources. RSG also provided weekly updates to tenants of potential relocation opportunities and held weekly office hours, onsite at Imperial Avalon, to allow for dedicated time for resident meetings. Over 200 mobilehome coaches were successfully relocated.