The state Senate and Assembly budget committees have agreed to include $30 million in their 2021-22 budget proposal to build new housing for residents of the troubled Oasis Mobile Home Park in Thermal. The funds were requested by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella.
The park, located on Torres Martinez tribal land, and home to over 1,000 people, has been cited repeatedly by the EPA for arsenic in its water. Residents also have complained about overflowing trash and lack of maintenance on the aging mobile homes.
Several residents sued the park's owner, Scott Lawson, in January, but he died in the spring. The suit is continuing against the remaining defendants: his daughter, Sabrina Lawson, and two companies.