Reyna Canales, who lives at Willow Mobile Home Park in San Pablo, says she begins to feel panicked at the start of each month. While she can expect her monthly utility bill statement to be posted on her front door from her landlord, she never knows whether there will be a separate notice of a rent increase waiting for her. The 43-year-old mother lives with her four young children, and her husband, who is the only source of income for the family after Canales was injured in a car accident last year.
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Back in March, the family received a “Notice of Rent Increase,” stating that effective September 1, the couple’s rent would be $1,296.80—an $80 increase from what she was paying before. However, in October, they received another notice stating that their rent would be raised again on January 1, 2026. Only this time, the increase was for $300, which Canales said is more than what they can afford…