This article was underwritten in part by the Mickey Flacks Journalism Fund for Social Justice, a proud, innovative supporter of local news. To make a contribution go to sbcan.org/journalism_fund.
Rent will go up for tenants of Del Cielo Mobile Estates in Orcutt, but not as much as the park’s owners requested. On Tuesday, Santa Barbara County’s Board of Supervisors voted to deny the owner’s petition to overturn an independent arbitrator’s decision to limit the rent increase.
Del Cielo is owned by a company called Del Cielo Manufactured Housing Community LLC. The company has no other assets and has ties to Harmony Communities, a company that owns and operates dozens of parks across California and Oregon. Individuals or a group connected to Harmony purchased Del Cielo Mobile Estates in April 2024, and shortly after moved to open the ages-55+ park to all ages and increase rents…