![]() ![]() The town hall meeting that evening was the first time Golfview residents were able to confront Havenpark. That same evening in North Liberty, residents of Golfview (who had their rent raised 58 percent) met with Havenpark. Protesters loudly echoed back in agreement, “That ain’t right!” During the rally, several drivers passing by honked their horns in support. Predatory companies across the country use the same method to steal homes from communities like ours, by raising rents so folks walk away. “What is comfortable and dignified about being unable to sleep at night - unable to sleep because you don’t know what’s coming next?”Ĭhapman pointed out, “These folks have been living in Waukee for years, yet we allow an out-of-state corporation to gouge their rents. “Iowans deserve the dignity of a comfortable home,” Chapman continued. Wearing a red T-shirt with the words “Housing Justice for All,” Chapman addressed the crowd.Ĭhapman said Iowans should not be forced “to choose between food, rent, utilities and medicines” for the sake of “out-of-state profits.” The main rally speaker was Waukee resident Matt Chapman, who has been helping to organize MCE tenants for months against Havenpark. Protesters repeatedly chanted, “Havenpark steals homes.” They held signs and displayed a large banner reading, “Fight poverty, not the poor.”įacing street traffic in front of the building, the crowd’s signs read, “Rent gouging is wrong,” “Solidarity with MCE residents,” “Put people first” and other slogans. The meeting was closed to the public and the media, which should not come as a surprise as the firm has continuously denied interviews and comments on their actions.īefore MCE tenants met with representatives inside the hotel, a crowd of around 30 people gathered outside near the street. For example, MCE residents received a predatory rent increase of nearly 70 percent.Īfter months of dragging their heels, Havenpark finally agreed to meet with MCE residents at the Sheraton Hotel that Thursday evening. Since taking over these properties, Havenpark has imposed extravagant rent hikes on tenants as part of their greedy business model. The Utah-based investment firm has targeted similar communities in other states. Havenpark bought five mobile home communities in Iowa this year: MCE, Golfview Mobile Home Court in North Liberty, North American Mobile Home Park in Indianola, Sunrise Mobile Home Village in Iowa City and West Branch Mobile Home Village in West Branch. Residents of Waukee’s mobile home community Midwest Country Estates and supporters rallied outside the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines May 23 to protest proposed rent hikes by new landlords Havenpark Capital. ![]()
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