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Residents protest rent increases at community for seniors

Posted at 8:04 PM, Oct 19, 2013
and last updated 2013-10-19 22:04:40-04

FARR WEST, Utah – Utahns protested in Farr West on Saturday in response to increasing rent costs at a manufactured home community for seniors.

Protesters said many residents of Westwood Village, 1111 North 2000 West, are on fixed incomes and will not be able to continue living in their homes if the community keeps increasing their rates.

Resident Chris Hicks said her ground space rent has increased every year since 2008, which is when she moved in. She said she is keeping up for now, but she said she and other residents are concerned about what the future may hold.

“I’m starting to feel the squeeze with the ground increase,” she said. “I keep thinking, I’m a young person in this park, I’m 56 years old. What’s gonna happen in 30 years from now? I plan on staying here that long, as long as some of these other people. What’s gonna happen then?”

The owner of the complex, Equity Lifestyles Properties, is one of the largest owners of manufactured home communities in the nation. FOX 13 News attempted to contact them for comment regarding Saturday’s protest but did not hear back.