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Johnson County Board of Supervisors to meet with mobile home park owner Havenpark
‘The fact that they have suddenly agreed to a meeting is, in fact, a big breakthrough’
Oct. 1, 2025 7:17 pm
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IOWA CITY — The Johnson County Board of Supervisors will meet with Utah-based Havenpark Communities, owner of mobile home parks across Johnson County, after months of letters back and forth over park conditions.
Johnson County Residents United, a group that advocates for safe conditions in mobile home parks, has voiced concerns over sudden rent increases, questionable water quality and poor park maintenance in Havenpark-owned properties.
Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition — which works with Johnson County Residents United — requested help from the board of supervisors in May after the groups said communication with Havenpark had been inconsistent.
Since then, the board has sent multiple letters reiterating its request that Havenpark implement a two-year moratorium on lot rent increases, to allow time for Havenpark to address resident concerns.
Hours prior to a news conference Wednesday at Modern Manor, a Havenpark-owned mobile home park outside Iowa City, Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz said the board received a letter from Havenpark agreeing to meet.
“These are our neighbors. These are our friends, these are our residents. And what is happening with out-of-state corporations purchasing these and then extracting all of the money without fulfilling any of their promises, is nothing short of extortion, and we need to stand up,” said Fixmer-Oraiz.
A date for the meeting has not been set.
Havenpark has said it addressed resident concerns with $2.1 million in improvements, and more on the way, across Sunrise Village, Modern Manor and Lake Ridge Estates.
“These investments directly address infrastructure and maintenance needs and ensure that our communities remain desirable and sustainable for current and future residents,” Havenpark said in a statement to The Gazette. “Our track record of investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to both the safety and quality of life of our residents.”
The residents began reaching out to Havenpark in March and have since had two news conferences to publicize their concerns, although their concerns go back years.
“Owners have made it clear again and again when we've reached out to them and when we've contacted them, that they'd like to take the easy path. They would like to ignore us and not respond … the fact that they have suddenly agreed to a meeting is, in fact, a big breakthrough,” said Jennifer Sherer, a volunteer organizer with Johnson County Residents United.
Rent increases continue despite moratorium request
Johnson County Residents United and other advocates for affordable and safe housing throughout the county have developed “Expectations for Liveable Communities,” a list that includes clean water, improved park maintenance and a moratorium on rent increases.
Many of the mobile home residents own their homes but pay rent for the lot the homes sit on, in addition to on-site amenities. Since Havenpark took over, residents have reported rent increases of 40 and 50 percent while park amenities have dwindled.
“We are dedicated to creating a great value for our residents. We continue to invest in infrastructure, safety, and amenities so residents have high-quality housing options. Lot rent increases reflect the real and rising costs of maintaining and improving our communities, and are in line with other housing cost increases across the Iowa City Market,” Havenpark said.
Water quality concerns persist throughout 2025
Residents in some mobile home communities throughout Johnson County have struggled with drinking water contamination, and Modern Manor residents were without water for three days in January.
Some residents have been sending water to the University of Iowa Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination for testing.
Melissa Lenz, a resident of Sunrise Village, said earlier this week the water in her home was the color of coffee.
“When we're also paying for water at the park, and we're also paying for drinking water … it's kind of a pain, and it shouldn't be that way, because if I'm paying for water, I should be able to use that water, and it should be safe,” said Lenz.
Lenz said the water typically clears in a day but has been a consistent issue over the last year.
Residents union met with support from public officials
Other local elected officials and candidates have supported the residents union. Members of Iowa City Council, Iowa City school district and candidates for state and federal office have showed up over the past year to support residents.
Speakers at news conferences have highlighted the importance of legislative action, noting that state laws for mobile home parks are in a separate part of Iowa Code than traditional rentals.
“I simply want to say that I continue to stand in solidarity with all Iowans who live in manufactured housing, mobile home communities and trailer parks across our state, we are going to continue to push legislation in the state legislature to crack down on this predatory behavior,” said state Sen. Zach Wahls.
Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com
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