08/21/25 New owner, 40% increase in rent
For months, a quiet sense of dread has been growing in our community at Riviera Estates. What was once a peaceful, affordable place we were proud to call home suddenly felt unstable. Then, on August 21st, the Idaho Statesman published a story that confirmed our worst fears: we were not overreacting.
The article, “They planned on staying in their homes. A new manager inflated the rent,” didn’t just tell our story—it validated it. It showed the world what we were living through:
Skyrocketing Costs: Rent and fees jumping from around $700 to nearly $1,000 for existing tenants, with new tenants facing a staggering $1,400.
Impossible Standards: New, invasive income requirements and strict rules on who can buy our homes, destroying their resale value.
Negligent Management: A water main break that was poorly handled, leading to property damage and boil-water advisories delivered via email. No compensation was given for the initial 47 day boil-water advisory.
Targeted Harassment: Residents receiving notices over minor issues like "feeding stray cats" after requesting insurance information for flood damage.
Reading James Demarest’s words was like hearing our own thoughts spoken aloud: “I served my country honorably. … I shouldn’t be pushed out of my home like this, especially on a fixed income.”
Anna Cox’s sentiment echoes in every conversation we have: “I had planned to stay here. But now I’m horrified.”
This article was our turning point.
Seeing our struggle in print made one thing undeniably clear: our individual voices were being ignored, but a collective voice could not be. The reporter, Carolyn Komatsoulis, listened to us when our landlord would not. She documented the facts when we were told to just accept them.
We realized that if we wanted to save our homes and our community, we had to unite.
This blog is the next step. We are the residents of this park, and we are forming a united front. We are no longer just individual homeowners trying to reason with a company that sees us as line items. We are a community, and we are fighting for:
Fair and Transparent Rent and Fees
Respectful Communication and Professional Management
The Right to the Quiet Enjoyment of Our Homes
The Preservation of Our community as a place of affordable, dignified housing
The Idaho Statesman story was the warning shot. It showed Demetre Booker and Elevate Eagle LLC that the community is watching.
Now, we are taking the next step. We are organizing, and we will be heard.
This blog will be our platform to share updates, organize our efforts, and hold management accountable. We are connecting with legal aid, tenant rights organizations, and our local representatives.
To our neighbors: Your fear is valid, and you are not alone. Join us.
To the management of Eagle MHC: We have tried to communicate individually. You have failed to respond meaningfully. You will now be dealing with us as a group.
This is just the beginning.
— The Riviera Estates Tenant Union of Eagle MHC (Formerly Riviera Estates)
P.S. Read the original investigation that started it all here: https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/business/article311509394.html