10/25/25 idaho’s first tenant union — Riviera Estates Tenants’ Union Launch

This past Saturday, October 25th, our community made Idaho history. With overwhelming unity and resolve, we officially launched the state's first-ever tenant union at the Elevate Eagle Mobile Home Community (formerly Riviera Estates).

As reported by KTVB, an incredible 84% of occupied households—at least 32 of 38 homes—have signed union cards to bargain collectively with our landlord, Demetre Booker Jr. of Elevate Commercial. This "supermajority fighting tenant union" marks a historic moment for tenant rights in Idaho and places our struggle within a growing national movement.

At our public launch rally, resident leaders shared the devastating impacts of the new ownership's policies, which include:

• A 40% rent increase, pushing lot rents from $705 to nearly $1,000 for existing tenants and over $1,400 for new buyers.

• Eviction notices and arbitrary fines as high as $1,000, used as tools of intimidation.

• A campaign of harassment targeting our most vulnerable neighbors, including the elderly and families with special needs.

The emotional testimony highlighted the human cost of these actions: children crying themselves to sleep, terrified of losing their homes; elderly residents on fixed incomes seeing their financial cushion disappear; and families trapped, unable to sell their homes due to the park's new prohibitive costs.

Our union has presented Demetre Booker with a clear set of demands, including a rent reduction, an end to retaliation, and a collectively bargained lease. We have given him until Monday, November 3rd, at 5 PM to respond.

As our neighbor Ashley Grivas powerfully stated, "If Demetre fails to respond... we are prepared to escalate. We will take whatever action is necessary... We are here to stay, and we are fighting to win!"

The mood in our community has transformed from one of fear to one of power. We are no longer asking for respect—we are demanding it, together.

This is just the beginning. We are here to stay, and we are fighting to win.

Read the full KTVB coverage here: https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/we-are-all-stronger-together-mobile-home-park-residents-launch-idahos-first-tenant-union/277-da528d8d-2fdd-4b1e-9575-0f0ee01be53c

KTVB Reel: https://www.facebook.com/reel/804366892479262

Idaho News6 coverage: https://www.kivitv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/ada-county/tenants-form-union-at-eagle-mobile-home-community-calling-out-rent-hikes