Lewiston council extends mobile home rent moratorium 4-0

The Lewiston City Council voted unanimously to extend the moratorium on rent increases for mobile home park lots, effective September 29, 2026. The special meeting featured heated public comment from residents and park owners regarding transparency and the urgency of closing a regulatory gap. Three councilors were absent from the vote, with one noted to be present in the audience in protest.

Key points

• Council passed the final reading of the moratorium extension by a 4-0 vote, with Ward 1, Ward 3, Ward 6, and the Mayor voting in favor.
• Councilor Bret Martel criticized the administration for a lack of transparency and questioned why this issue warranted two special meetings while other urgent matters did not.
• Residents of Fox Run Mobile Home Park testified about significant rent increases and new fees imposed by the owner Boa Vida, arguing the extension is necessary to prevent displacement.
• Park owners, including John Horton and a representative from Sunset Gardens, argued that the council's actions undermine trust in the business community and that the proposed stabilization ordinance is unnecessary.
• Councilor Joshua Nagine stated that the process has been transparent and that the moratorium is required to ensure a fair outcome while the housing committee finalizes the stabilization ordinance.

Next steps

• The housing committee will finalize the draft lot rent stabilization ordinance for a future vote.
• The moratorium extension will remain in effect until September 29, 2026, to prevent a gap in rent regulation.

Read the full transcript