OSTA: Empowering Park & Marina Residents

Bill Bateman

If you are an Oregon Manufactured Home Park or Marina resident who owns their home, but rents the space or slip in which your home is located, then we are here for you. OSTA is your support network, a trusted source of information about your rights, and your advocate for more secure housing through improved legislation. Through these efforts and initiatives, we enhance your quality of life.OSTA is a nonprofit, grassroots organization that seeks direction from members, avoiding a top-down approach, regarding decision-making on critical issues affecting members’ lifestyle choices, quality of life, and rights as residents in manufactured housing and floating home communities. OSTA works to provide an expanding array of programs, information, and services to its members. It is an organization focused, not only on protecting the rights of homeowners as residents in parks and marinas but an organization that supports all aspects of manufactured and floating home living. To enable this to happen we rely on members, teams, and colleagues, across the state who support this common vision. This work requires time, investment, and dedication to serve our 80,000+ residents and we rely solely on memberships and donations to achieve our goals.Join OSTA Linkhttps://oregontenants.com/membership-account/membership-levels/

  1. 1d ago

    Senator Gelser Bluen Agrees To Sponsor A Bill That Makes Oregon Housing Laws Enforceable

    Send us Fan Mail Oregon housing laws can look strong on paper and still feel impossible to use when there’s no real way to enforce them. That’s why we’re sharing big news: Senator Gelser Bluen has agreed to sponsor OSTA’s dispute resolution enforcement bill, and we’re moving from “we’d like to do this” to “we are doing this now.” We walk through what happens next with the Legislative Counsel draft, why the review window matters, and how we can shape the final language into something that actually works for homeowners living in manufactured home parks and floating home communities.  We also clarify the problem we’re trying to solve. Homeowners keep reporting violations under ORS Chapter 90, and mediation alone doesn’t guarantee compliance. We discuss a better dispute resolution process, including enforcement options when needed, and why we’re looking at program models in Washington and Colorado. We also discuss how MMCRC could be incorporated into the early stages of dispute resolution so the system is practical, staffed, and aligned with the realities residents face.  Then we tackle the hard, necessary question: funding. MMCRC currently runs on a $10 annual homeowner fee, with talk of a small increase just to keep operations going, but meaningful enforcement will likely cost more. We're asking you directly what fee increase you’d support to make enforcement real and sustainable, because we can’t build this without community buy-in. We also recognize the volunteers and neighbors doing the on-the-ground work, and we share simple steps you can take right now to help, including thanking the senator, contacting Housing Committee leadership, and reaching out to your own legislators. Subscribe, share this update with a neighbor, and leave a review so more Oregon tenants can find the information and join the push for enforceable rights. Link to Conference tickets: April 10, 10- 4 p.m Link to Enforcement Advocacy Packets Link to Legislator Lookup Join OSTA Link Comments or Questions for the Podcast Email: bbateman@oregontenants.com Copyright OSTA2045,2025 Not for rebroadcast w/o express written permission. Please share and download for educational purposes with attribution. Music POND5 Item: 103334712 Format: Music Title: Make An Impact (Stinger Intro) - Upbeat Corporate Inspirational Uplifting License: Individual License, Commercial Composer: juqboxmusic Stock Music provided by inspiringaudio, from Pond5 Produced by Retired Guy Productions  Info Logo 6 (Breaking News) 196306063 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25 Individual Info Logo 13 (Breaking News) 210545139 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25

  2. Oct 16

    Conference Tickets, Enforcement, And How To Reach Lawmakers

    Send us Fan Mail Mediation is supposed to resolve conflicts, but what happens when an agreement gets signed and nobody enforces it? We’re seeing that question play out across Oregon, and it’s becoming a statewide tenants’ rights problem that good intentions alone can't fix. We lay out why enforcement is the next big push for OSTA and why “if it’s the law, let’s enforce it” has to be more than a slogan. OSTA is celebrating a 50th birthday, and we’re planning a conference that’s focused on useful tools, strong speakers, and real next steps, not fluff. We also share practical, time-sensitive updates for tenant advocacy and community building. Conference tickets are live for our April 10 event (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clackamas, with discounted hotel rates for folks traveling in and efforts to make transit easier from the MAX.  On the organizing side, we point you to an enforcement advocacy packet that walks through how to hold a local meeting, what to say, and how to talk to Oregon legislators about enforcement gaps in landlord-tenant law, manufactured home Park rules, and basic accountability. We also explain what enforcement failures look like in everyday life: rule changes posted on signs instead of delivered in written notice, petitions ignored, and courtesy notices that can escalate toward eviction.  If you care about Oregon tenant protections, rent stability, and real follow-through, subscribe, share this episode with a neighbor, and leave a review so more renters can find these updates. What enforcement problem are you dealing with right now? Link to Conference tickets: April 10, 10- 4 p.m Link to Enforcement Advocacy Packets Link to Legislator Lookup Join OSTA Link Comments or Questions for the Podcast Email: bbateman@oregontenants.com Copyright OSTA2045,2025 Not for rebroadcast w/o express written permission. Please share and download for educational purposes with attribution. Music POND5 Item: 103334712 Format: Music Title: Make An Impact (Stinger Intro) - Upbeat Corporate Inspirational Uplifting License: Individual License, Commercial Composer: juqboxmusic Stock Music provided by inspiringaudio, from Pond5 Produced by Retired Guy Productions  Info Logo 6 (Breaking News) 196306063 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25 Individual Info Logo 13 (Breaking News) 210545139 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25

  3. Oct 4

    October OSTA Update: Two Big Announcements!

    Send us Fan Mail  We’re hearing from more manufactured and floating home residents who feel like mediation ends with paperwork and no real change, even when the rules are clear. So we’re shifting our energy toward something more practical: stronger enforcement of the laws that already exist in Oregon. I’m Bill Bateman, OSTA president, and I’m sharing two significant updates. First, our board has passed a resolution directing OSTA to work toward an enforcement model similar to Washington state’s Department of Justice approach or to support a rebuilt dispute resolution process that actually delivers results. We’re not asking for new laws, and we’re not asking for new funding during fiscal austerity. Our position is that the legal tools are already on the books, and the money is already collected through annual property taxes. The key is redirecting resources toward a program with a track record of litigating cases and enforcing outcomes so residents aren’t left holding the bag. Second, our website is back online after major technical failures forced a full rebuild, and we’ve rescheduled our conference for April 10, 2027, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clackamas. That date matters because 2027 is OSTA’s 50th birthday, and we’re making enforcement a focal point as we look ahead to a new direction for statewide advocacy. Subscribe, share this update with a neighbor, and leave a review so more residents can find these resources and stay connected. Join OSTA Link Comments or Questions for the Podcast Email: bbateman@oregontenants.com Copyright OSTA2045,2025 Not for rebroadcast w/o express written permission. Please share and download for educational purposes with attribution. Music POND5 Item: 103334712 Format: Music Title: Make An Impact (Stinger Intro) - Upbeat Corporate Inspirational Uplifting License: Individual License, Commercial Composer: juqboxmusic Stock Music provided by inspiringaudio, from Pond5 Produced by Retired Guy Productions  Info Logo 6 (Breaking News) 196306063 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25 Individual Info Logo 13 (Breaking News) 210545139 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25

  4. Jul 14

    OSTA Update: Announcing The 2026 Annual Conference

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to this OSTA update. What is in this episode? We've made some summer improvements to the newsletter. You may have noticed in the last issue that it’s stronger, with more contributions, new perspectives from board members, and an easier publishing workflow. We even shared that a printed copy is returning, which helps people who want something tangible to share at meetings, with neighbors, or inside new OSTA chapters.  Then we lay out the full roadmap for the OSTA Annual Conference. Here is the venue information.: OSTA Annual Conference October 3rd, 2026  10 am to 4 pm Hilton Garden Inn in Clackamas 12566 SE 93rd Ave, Clackamas, OR 97015 Tickets: $35 / $60 premium. With a 1-year membership and a new Residents handbook. Free Parking, Coffee, Snacks, and Lunch will be provided. Register early, as only 150 seats are available. You’ll also hear practical travel guidance from PDX, a strong warning about third-party hotel booking apps, and ideas for turning the trip into a staycation with nearby food, shopping, parks, and wineries.  We close with what we’re building next: more videos, more training, and clearer support for chapter organizers who want to help residents get the services and fairness they deserve.  If you find this useful, subscribe so you don’t miss the next update, share it with a friend who cares about Oregon rental housing, and leave a review to help more tenants discover OSTA. Share this podcast! Here is the link. Join OSTA Link Comments or Questions for the Podcast Email: bbateman@oregontenants.com Copyright OSTA2045,2025 Not for rebroadcast w/o express written permission. Please share and download for educational purposes with attribution. Music POND5 Item: 103334712 Format: Music Title: Make An Impact (Stinger Intro) - Upbeat Corporate Inspirational Uplifting License: Individual License, Commercial Composer: juqboxmusic Stock Music provided by inspiringaudio, from Pond5 Produced by Retired Guy Productions  Info Logo 6 (Breaking News) 196306063 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25 Individual Info Logo 13 (Breaking News) 210545139 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25

  5. Mar 18

    The OLLI Class: Learn The Rules And Use Them

    Send us Fan Mail Serious problems in a manufactured home community rarely start with a single dramatic moment. They usually arrive as a slow drip: confusing notices, sudden “policy updates,” rent pressure, unanswered repairs, and that nagging sense that you’re on your own. This class is designed to give Oregon manufactured home Park and floating home residents a clear on-ramp from frustration to action, using a structured class that helps you organize effectively and protect your homes.  We walk you through a new course that was approved by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Southern Oregon University. The class will cover the steps to form a tenants' association, how to communicate with a landlord or management company with a paper trail, and how to think strategically about problem-solving rather than reacting in isolation.  We also explain how we use Oregon landlord-tenant law for manufactured housing, focusing on ORS Chapter 90 in everyday language. You’ll hear why it’s not about memorizing statutes, it’s about knowing which sections matter and how to apply them. We talk about mediation, small-claims basics, and the “real life” challenges residents report right now, including fears of retaliation and attempts to work around rules like HB 3054 and the 6% rent cap.  If you’ve been thinking about stepping up for your park, this is your sign. Subscribe for more practical guidance, share this with a neighbor who needs it, and leave a review so more residents can find the training and support. Class Title and Dates: Imobile Home Parks: Solutions to Serious Problems Item Number: S26LIFE321 Dates: 4/1/2026 - 5/6/2026 Times: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Days: W Sessions: 6 OLLI Registration Link Phone for details and information (541) 552-6048. Join OSTA Link Comments or Questions for the Podcast Email: bbateman@oregontenants.com Copyright OSTA2045,2025 Not for rebroadcast w/o express written permission. Please share and download for educational purposes with attribution. Music POND5 Item: 103334712 Format: Music Title: Make An Impact (Stinger Intro) - Upbeat Corporate Inspirational Uplifting License: Individual License, Commercial Composer: juqboxmusic Stock Music provided by inspiringaudio, from Pond5 Produced by Retired Guy Productions  Info Logo 6 (Breaking News) 196306063 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25 Individual Info Logo 13 (Breaking News) 210545139 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25

  6. Feb 15

    We’re Listening: Join The 10 A.M. Zooms To Share What’s Broken And What You Need

    Send us Fan Mail Tenants across Oregon are ready to be heard, and we’re opening the door wide. We’re hosting at 10 a.m. Zoom drop-ins throughout the week, inviting residents of manufactured home communities to share their top three concerns—whether it’s broken promises, slow landlord response, or shady fees—and to add real examples through our quick survey and chat. By structuring sessions across three regions and then calibrating the results, we can identify patterns, prioritize fixes, and pursue targeted solutions rather than one-off band-aids. We also bring timely news: our Vice President, Rochelle, met with Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield to address recurring issues in senior parks and to spotlight bad actors. Being heard at that level means these problems have moved beyond isolated complaints. It creates room for data sharing, potential enforcement, and clearer guidance for residents who often face opaque rules and power imbalances. It also signals to unfair operators that accountability is coming when communities organize and present clear, consistent evidence. Education sits at the heart of sustainable change, so we’re launching a new class through OLLI at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. This volunteer-led course isn’t legal advice, but it provides residents with practical tools to navigate leases, notices, rule changes, documentation, and escalation paths. We connect Oregon’s evolving landscape with mobilization in Washington state to show how organized communities shape policy and practice. If you’ve felt like your park is treated as a cash cow, you’ll gain a roadmap to push back with clarity and confidence. Grab the links to this podcast, bring a neighbor, and join the 10 a.m. sessions—any regional day works if your schedule is tight. Then help us turn stories into data and data into action. If this conversation helps you or someone you know, subscribe, share it with your community, and leave a review so more residents can find their voice. ZOOM LINKfor Statewide Meetings Feb 16-18 & 20 -10 AM Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81147231093 Meeting ID: 811 4723 1093 OLLI Class INFO: Immobile Home Parks: Solutions to Serious Problems, Taught by Bill Bateman Dates: 4/1/2026–5/6/2026 Times: 9:00 AM–10:30 AM  Day(s): W  Sessions: 6 Questions? Email: olli@sou.edu Phone: 541.552.6048 OLLI at SOU Mailing Address 1250 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, Oregon 97520 OLLI at SOU Office Location 655 Frances Lane Ashland, Oregon 97520 Join OSTA Link Comments or Questions for the Podcast Email: bbateman@oregontenants.com Copyright OSTA2045,2025 Not for rebroadcast w/o express written permission. Please share and download for educational purposes with attribution. Music POND5 Item: 103334712 Format: Music Title: Make An Impact (Stinger Intro) - Upbeat Corporate Inspirational Uplifting License: Individual License, Commercial Composer: juqboxmusic Stock Music provided by inspiringaudio, from Pond5 Produced by Retired Guy Productions  Info Logo 6 (Breaking News) 196306063 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25 Individual Info Logo 13 (Breaking News) 210545139 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25

  7. Feb 8

    Oregon Tenants :Speak Up! OSTA updates

    Send us Fan Mail Tired of watching park problems get brushed aside while the rules seem to work only one way? We’re turning up the volume on Oregon’s manufactured housing issues with two concrete steps: a meeting with the Attorney General to press for real enforcement and statewide Zoom hearings designed to collect documented cases that lawmakers can’t ignore. If you’ve experienced weak mediation, delayed maintenance, surprise rule changes, or the sting of a rent reset when you sell, this conversation is for you. We walk through how the rent reset practice erodes homeowner equity by scaring off buyers with sudden site rent hikes. You’ll hear why fairness at the point of sale matters for seniors on fixed incomes, for community stability, and for the health of the manufactured home market. We explain what strong evidence looks like—dated notices, letters, photos, emails—and how turning anger into organized documentation gives our advocacy teeth. When hundreds of residents across the state show the same pattern, it creates undeniable momentum for change. We also share details about our OLLI “take back control” class through Southern Oregon University. Think of it as a practical boot camp: no torches, no pitchforks—just proven tactics, clear asks, and the power of numbers. From using the latest SRC 900 rental code to structuring group emails that get results, we break down steps that help you fix what’s broken without escalating conflict. You’ll learn why calm, coordinated pressure outperforms one-off complaints and how to prepare for mediation so the process stays neutral. If you want stronger tenant protections, fair enforcement, and a real say in how your community is governed, now is the time to act. Join the 10 a.m. Zoom hearings, bring your facts and dates, and share your experience so we can move policy and practice in the right direction. Subscribe, share this episode with a neighbor, and leave a review to help more Oregon residents find these tools and raise their voices. ZOOM LINKfor Statewide Meetings Feb 16-18 & 20 -10 AM Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81147231093 Meeting ID: 811 4723 1093 OLLI Class INFO: Immobile Home Parks: Solutions to Serious Problems, Taught by Bill Bateman Dates: 4/1/2026–5/6/2026 Times: 9:00 AM–10:30 AM  Day(s): W  Sessions: 6 Questions? Email: olli@sou.edu Phone: 541.552.6048 OLLI at SOU Mailing Address 1250 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, Oregon 97520 OLLI at SOU Office Location 655 Frances Lane Ashland, Oregon 97520 Join OSTA Link Comments or Questions for the Podcast Email: bbateman@oregontenants.com Copyright OSTA2045,2025 Not for rebroadcast w/o express written permission. Please share and download for educational purposes with attribution. Music POND5 Item: 103334712 Format: Music Title: Make An Impact (Stinger Intro) - Upbeat Corporate Inspirational Uplifting License: Individual License, Commercial Composer: juqboxmusic Stock Music provided by inspiringaudio, from Pond5 Produced by Retired Guy Productions  Info Logo 6 (Breaking News) 196306063 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25 Individual Info Logo 13 (Breaking News) 210545139 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25

  8. Jan 4

    OSTA Update: Short Session, Strong Voices

    Send us Fan Mail The clock is ticking on Oregon’s 35‑day short session, and that compressed timeline can either sideline renters or sharpen our influence. We take you inside a practical game plan for making the most of limited days and limited bills, with a laser focus on enforcing existing rental laws, boosting agency responsiveness, and proving—again—that we’re organized, present, and paying attention. We break down two timely proposals that illustrate what targeted policy can do: low‑interest energy efficiency loans from investor‑owned utilities that reduce monthly costs for tenants and seniors, and stronger lobby transparency so every voter can see who is backing or fighting each bill. Along the way, we connect these ideas to everyday stakes—heat bills, healthy homes, and trust in the process—so you can speak to lawmakers in plain terms that move votes. Organization is our force multiplier this month. We’re hosting regional Zoom meetings from Portland to Ashland to surface local priorities while building statewide momentum. Not everyone has a computer, so we lay out simple steps for park-and-rec room watch parties, along with why it’s crucial to document attendance and send names. That proof of turnout earns credibility with committees and staff, and it keeps our issues on the agenda. We also cover clean membership data—why your email and phone number matter for action alerts—and the digital steps that expand our reach: subscribe on YouTube, hit thumbs up, and share this episode so we can unlock live tools and mobilize faster. If you care about rental code enforcement, transparent lobbying, and practical relief like energy upgrades that cut bills, this conversation is your roadmap for the weeks ahead. Join a regional session, invite a neighbor, and help us keep the pressure smart, local, and sustained. Subscribe, share with one person today, and tell us: what’s your top question for your legislator this month? OSTA Membership Link Join OSTA Link Comments or Questions for the Podcast Email: bbateman@oregontenants.com Copyright OSTA2045,2025 Not for rebroadcast w/o express written permission. Please share and download for educational purposes with attribution. Music POND5 Item: 103334712 Format: Music Title: Make An Impact (Stinger Intro) - Upbeat Corporate Inspirational Uplifting License: Individual License, Commercial Composer: juqboxmusic Stock Music provided by inspiringaudio, from Pond5 Produced by Retired Guy Productions  Info Logo 6 (Breaking News) 196306063 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25 Individual Info Logo 13 (Breaking News) 210545139 Sound effect TTSynth 2025-01-25

About

If you are an Oregon Manufactured Home Park or Marina resident who owns their home, but rents the space or slip in which your home is located, then we are here for you. OSTA is your support network, a trusted source of information about your rights, and your advocate for more secure housing through improved legislation. Through these efforts and initiatives, we enhance your quality of life.OSTA is a nonprofit, grassroots organization that seeks direction from members, avoiding a top-down approach, regarding decision-making on critical issues affecting members’ lifestyle choices, quality of life, and rights as residents in manufactured housing and floating home communities. OSTA works to provide an expanding array of programs, information, and services to its members. It is an organization focused, not only on protecting the rights of homeowners as residents in parks and marinas but an organization that supports all aspects of manufactured and floating home living. To enable this to happen we rely on members, teams, and colleagues, across the state who support this common vision. This work requires time, investment, and dedication to serve our 80,000+ residents and we rely solely on memberships and donations to achieve our goals.Join OSTA Linkhttps://oregontenants.com/membership-account/membership-levels/