Also: See NMHOA Facebook page for news aggregation nationwide
And: MHPHOA news, California
Remaking a mobile home park at Bermuda Estates in Chester
“We were always afraid of being evicted; I was trying to save enough over two or three years so I could find another place in case they sold the park,” said Cesia Luque, who has lived for 11 years in what’s recently become a different kind of mobile home community, Bermuda Estates, tucked in behind the intensely developed commercial strip along U.S. Route 1 just north of Route 10.
The first task, said Madeline Petri, Project:HOMES director of mission advancement, was to start building trust, in order to revive a fracturing sense of community. Project:HOMES reassured tenants they could stay — a huge relief for people whose rent for their lots is $520 a month compared to the median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment of more than $1,300 and more that $1,900 for a 3-bedroom.
“Now we can trust to be here for the long term. My kids are here, they are growing up here. This is a good place to live.”
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Jan. 8, 2024
Our view | Paradise Cove case in Castle Rock shows value of legal outreach
The cluster of resident complaints drew the attention of the Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Program, which was created by the state Legislature in 2007. Agencies like these seldom get the spotlight, but do an important job in closing the gap between the protection of the law and the reach of regular people, particularly those in lower income brackets.
This phenomenon is sometimes called the “justice gap.” According to a report from the legal aid group Legal Service Corporation, low-income households are less likely to seek out legal aid for serious civil problems, and about half of them point to cost as a reason why.
Not only can hiring a lawyer get expensive, but it’s also an imposing task. Not everyone feels comfortable in their ability to tell the difference between Atticus Finch and Saul Goodman. Consequently, many ultimately opt against seeking legal counsel.
The Daily News
Dec. 23,, 2023
Remaking a mobile home park at Bermuda Estates in Chester
“We were always afraid of being evicted; I was trying to save enough over two or three years so I could find another place in case they sold the park,” said Cesia Luque, who has lived for 11 years in what’s recently become a different kind of mobile home community, Bermuda Estates, tucked in behind the intensely developed commercial strip along U.S. Route 1 just north of Route 10.
The first task, said Madeline Petri, Project:HOMES director of mission advancement, was to start building trust, in order to revive a fracturing sense of community. Project:HOMES reassured tenants they could stay — a huge relief for people whose rent for their lots is $520 a month compared to the median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment of more than $1,300 and more that $1,900 for a 3-bedroom.
“Now we can trust to be here for the long term. My kids are here, they are growing up here. This is a good place to live.”
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Jan. 8, 2024
Volunteers Achieve Goal of Providing Affordable Housing in North Spokane
A key part of the group’s philosophy is that it takes a village and cooperation from neighbors to provide stable housing.
On Dec. 11, after only a year, the group achieved their vision: the first manufactured home was delivered and placed on Takesa Village Homeowners Cooperative in Mead, Washington. The 720 square foot, two-bedroom home will house a family, including a single mom and her two children (one who is disabled).
FaVS News
Dec. 31,, 2023
San Dimas awarded $1.5 million for mobile home upgrades
Grants of up to $40,000 will allow San Dimas mobile homeowners to “make critical health and safety repairs, as well as make meaningful upgrades to their homes for energy-efficiency savings, refurbishments, restoration, and more,” according to a news release. “This initiative is expected to enhance the quality of life for residents and extend the lifespan of these affordable properties.”
Claremont Courier
Jan 4, 2024
With funding boost, plans advance for redevelopment of Buena Vista Mobile Home Park
Housing Authority receives $24M grant, submits plans for rebuilding Palo Alto mobile-home park
For the second time in the past decade, the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park is facing the prospect of demolition.
This time, however, the city and the community are embracing — rather than fighting — the redevelopment of Palo Alto’s only mobile-home park.
Palo Alto Online
Dec. 22, 2023
San Dimas awarded $1.5 million for mobile home upgrades
Grants of up to $40,000 will allow San Dimas mobile homeowners to “make critical health and safety repairs, as well as make meaningful upgrades to their homes for energy-efficiency savings, refurbishments, restoration, and more,” according to a news release. “This initiative is expected to enhance the quality of life for residents and extend the lifespan of these affordable properties.”
Claremont Courier
Jan 4, 2024
What’s new: $3 million grant coming to Jurupa Valley mobile home residents
Jurupa Valley mobile home residents will get some help fixing up their homes in the New Year thanks to a $3 million state grant.
The grant, issued by the Manufactured Housing Opportunity & Revitalization Program, was secured by state Sen. Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside).
The Press-Enterprise
Dec. 25, 2023
Commission raises rent at Fresno mobile home park, but residents still say it’s a win
In a 4-0 vote Tuesday, the Mobilehome Park Rent Review and Stabilization Commission rejected an application for a $350 rent increase at La Hacienda Mobile Estates submitted by park owner Harmony Communities. The vote came after an initial hearing on Nov. 14.
The commission chose to increase rent by 6.6%, or $24.92 per month, the maximum allowed by city ordinance. The decision goes against the Fresno City Attorney Office’s recommendation of a 6.6% increase, as well as an amount that is “fair and just” to both the park’s owner and residents.
KVPR 89.3 Fresno 89.1 Bakersfield
Nov. 23, 2023
Mobile home owners schooled on tenants’ rights, new protections
The training, organized by the Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League and the Sonoma Valley Housing Group, discussed legal aid and new protections for mobile home residents passed by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.
“People in Sonoma Valley are aware of what happened in Petaluma and the county,” Fred Allebach said alluding to rent increases of more than 100% at Youngstown Mobile Home Park in Petaluma. “The owners feel like they have a right to a certain profit. And so the point of view of the tenants and mobile homeowners is that they have rights, too.”
The Sonoma Index-Tribune
Dec. 5, 2023
New legislation signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday provides homeowners in manufactured home parks with the right of first refusal on any potential sale of the property.
FingerLakes.com
Oct. 30, 2023
Humboldt County supervisors OK mobile home park rent control guidelines
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved a full set of guidelines Tuesday for rent stabilization in mobile home parks, the result of a 2016 voter initiative that aimed to protect tenants living in parks in unincorporated areas of Humboldt County.
Times Standard
Oct. 24, 2023
Owners of mobile homes in Connecticut gain right of first refusal
Senate Bill 988, which gives residents of Connecticut mobile home communities the right to make a bid for the property their homes are on if the owner wishes to sell, went into effect on Oct. 1.
Westfair Business Journal
Oct. 14, 2023
Attorney general proposes rent refunds at mobile home park
Office alleges park owner violated portions of state law while raising rents
The Daily World
Oct. 10, 2023
Council OKs ordinance to protect city’s senior-living mobile home parks
Homeowners living in the Ranch Mobile Home Park, one of five senior mobile home parks in the City of Thousand Oaks, were victorious last week when the City Council approved an ordinance that would prevent the park owner from converting the community into an all-ages family park.
Thousand Oaks Acorn
Sept. 22, 2023
In Attleboro, Sen. Warren slams private equity for buying home parks
Many residents of the Sandcastle manufactured-home park told U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren they are on fixed incomes and have been struggling with rising rents since the previously family-owned complex was sold to a company called Legacy Communities in 2019.
YouTube, WPRI News, Rhode Island
Oct.11, 2023
Sebastopol takes action: The significance of mobile home rent regulations for community stability
Housing isn’t just about buildings and land; it’s about the people and communities they shelter. With that in mind, Sebastopol is stepping up by revising its mobile home rent regulations. This move aligns Sebastopol with other cities that recognize the importance of safeguarding the rights of mobile home residents.
THE SONOMA COUNTY GAZETTE
Sept. 7, 2023
Larkspur poised to enact rent control ordinance
Editor’s note: This does not appear to apply to mobile home parks
The new provision is stronger than state Assembly Bill 1482, or the Tenant Protection Act, which sets the bar at 5% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is lower. The state law expires on Jan. 1, 2030, while the local ordinance would end on Dec. 31, 2030.
Marin Independent Journal
July 25, 2023
Butte County BOS discuss mobile home rent stabilization, marijuana ordinance
“The survey that our department did was very telling that there are many people in mobile home parks that are on a fixed income and with rising rent they’re having a problem living and paying other bills and we’re looking at possible ways to help those folks,” District 4 Supervisor Tod Kimmelshue said.
Action News Now
June 13, 2023
“This important support helps residents purchase the land their homes are on, and we are excited to continue the important work to make sure Coloradans have access to safe and affordable housing,” said Gov. Polis.
The Office of the Governor of the State of Colorado
June 8, 2023
‘Dream come true’: Parklane Mobile Home Park residents buy park, set example for others
But in July — after six months of working with neighboring nonprofits The Genesis Project and Matthews House and forming their own resident-run nonprofit, United Neighbors/Vecinos Unidos — the residents successfully purchased the park, making it the first resident-owned mobile home park in Larimer County and solidifying it as long-term affordable housing. An attempt by residents of Hickory Village Mobile Home Park to buy the Fort Collins park failed in 2021.
Coloradoan
August 30, 2022
A Promising Court Victory for Mobile-Home Residents
In recent years, corporations have bought up mobile-home parks and begun squeezing residents for profits. Tenants have started pushing back.
The New Yorker
December 17, 2021
There’s no denying the data: Rent control works
Opinion > Finance
After decades on the defensive, the pro-rent control tenant movement is scoring significant wins despite having to battle constant misinformation from landlords…
Stable housing and affordable rents are vital for each city’s future.
Rent regulation should be understood as a tool to promote political participation amongst working class and low income communities and communities of color.
Rent control also leads to safer living conditions in the housing stock. Code enforcement by nature relies on resident self-reporting of unsafe conditions.
The Hill
Sept. 14, 2021
Today consumer-rights law firm FeganScott announced it is broadening its investigation of Equity LifeStyle Properties (ELS) (NYSE:ELS) to include other mobile home properties owned and operated by ELS across 33 states.
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FeganScott urges residents and homeowners who live in properties managed by ELS to learn more about their rights by contacting the firm at [email protected].
Yahoo Finance
January 17, 2022
Yolo supes discuss mobile-home rent, West Sac tax offset
The board heard a presentation on mobile-home-park rent stabilization. This item was considered by the board between 2006 and 2008, but no action was taken at that time.
The Davis Enterprise
Oct. 24, 2023
Sonoma County votes to restrict rent increases at mobile home parks in unincorporated areas
Supervisors approved changes that more closely align the county with Santa Rosa, Petaluma and other neighboring jurisdictions.|
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In the past year, cities across Sonoma County have moved to restrict rent increases on the spaces mobile home owners pay for to quell widespread concerns over displacement, especially for vulnerable low-income, elderly or immigrant residents.
Moving mobile homes is a difficult, expensive and often prohibitive endeavor, rendering mobile home owners “essentially captive renters” as board Chair Chris Coursey said Tuesday.
The Press Democrat
Oct. 24, 2023
No complaints yet for Southington’s fair rent commission
Prompted by a state mandate and encouraged by residents of local mobile home parks, the town created the fair rent commission late last year and named members earlier this year.
The commission has the power to investigate and amend “unconscionable” rent increases. It includes homeowners from both parties as well as an equal number of tenants and landlords.
myrecordjournal.com
Oct. 9, 2023
Larkspur approves rent control ordinance
Larkspur has become the second city in Marin to adopt a local rent control ordinance.
Marin Independent Journal
Sept. 7, 2023
Moratorium on mobile home park rent increases in Sonoma County
(KRON) — The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved a temporary moratorium on rent increases in mobile home parks in unincorporated areas on Monday.
The ordinance takes effect immediately and will remain in place until February 2024.
The ordinance does not apply to mobile home parks inside the county’s nine cities.
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Kron4.com
August 23, 2023
Council approves moratorium on manufactured home redevelopment
To help preserve manufactured home parks as more affordable housing options in Sequim, city councilors recently enacted a six-month moratorium on redevelopment applications for those parks if it is for any project other than manufactured homes.
For the moratorium, city staff were directed to consider zoning options, such as a manufactured home overlay to protect park residents from potentially losing their homes in a redevelopment project.
Councilors unanimously made the decision for a moratorium on Aug. 14 in response to continued concern from manufactured home residents about losing their homes to potential development.
Sequim Gazette
August 23, 2023
“The work will now become real for us, but it’s something we are preparing to take on,” Jimenez said of the next steps to take ownership of the park. “We are feeling great about the future of the community.”
Post Independent
June 13, 2023
Cudahy Joins Growing List Of Cities Enacting Rent Control And Tenant Protections
“This has been a long time coming,” said Councilmember Elizabeth Alcantar. She pushed for a rent increase freeze last fall, and it was extended twice before the city council began discussing rent control.
LAist
June 7, 2023
Tax incentives for mobile home park owners who sell to nonprofits proposed in Virginia Senate
State Sen. Hashmi, who introduced the bill to counteract the national trend of large corporations buying mobile home parks and raising the rates on tenants, has been following the story Cardinal News broke on Massie’s mobile home park in Christiansburg.
Cardinal News
Jan. 24, 2023
Parklane Mobile Home Park residents receive $1 million from Larimer County to buy park
“This is an example of clearly a public benefit,” Commissioner John Kefalas said. “… Mobile home parks, manufactured housing communities, are an example of affordable housing that is not subsidized, and it’s great to preserve that affordable housing.”
Coloradoan
April 21, 2022
Spain’s new “right to housing” law enshrines rent control nationwide
Spain’s government just passed sweeping rent control as part of its first-ever national “right to housing” law.
Quartz
Feb. 2, 2022
