LAKEPORT >> Lake County officials announced Tuesday that Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa plans to close down its housing operations for Valley Fire survivors by the end of June.
Currently, there are an estimated 19 families remaining in refurbished rooms, offered by facility management to refugees shortly after the September 12, 2015 blaze. The stay was originally intended to be brief, but Konocti Harbor allowed housing deals to be extended.
Those staying in the rooms pay $1,000 a month, utilities included, many with FEMA assistance. But the private renters may not find such a deal once the deadline is reached, Lake County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson said, due to skyrocketing rental costs in the wake of the Valley Fire.
“All of the rental housing has been gobbled up by people who lost their homes…” she said. “In particular, we are concerned with the closure of Konocti.”
Adding to the concern, according to Disctrict 4 Supervisor and BOS Chair Rob Brown, is that many of the families “haven’t tried really hard to find other alternatives.”
At the Board of Supervisors regular meeting, Huchingson cited data tracked by the social services department. It revealed that the rental price for an average three-bedroom house jumped by more than 30 percent — from $950 to $1,200 a month — compared to prices before the catastrophe that destroyed nearly 1,300 homes.
District 1 Supervisor Jim Comstock noted that it’s even higher in Hidden Valley Lake, ranging from $1,200 to $1,700 a month.
However, a discussion at an earlier recovery meeting — attended by Brown and Huchingson — concluded that this wasn’t necessarily the effect of price gouging. In some instances, vacation homes and other options weren’t previously intended for local renting.
“Nonetheless prices have gone way up,” Huchingson added.
Other reasons for the decreased supply may be the crews contracted outside the county for the recovery. They will be available soon, Brown said, but they won’t be for long-term renting.
“It’s one more reason to really consider the value of hiring local contractors so they don’t take up rental stock available,” he said.
Regarding immediate solutions, District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith recommended that the once-bustling resort consider leaving its doors open for renters because of recent refurbishments to more than 30 rooms. That work was funded by FEMA and a grant from the Golden State Finance Authority.
“They have all these new spaces not being utilized,” he said.
Brown responded, saying that he and President/General Manager Greg Bennett talked about trailer space. Bennett could not be reached for this story despite multiple attempts.
Despite the recommendation, Team Lake County will be “the driving force” is solving the rental crisis.
“Hopefully, they’ll take some immediate steps,” Huchingson said.
