Michigan Considers New Protections for Residents of Manufactured Home Communities
As Michigan approaches four decades without significant changes to its manufactured housing laws, a new legislative initiative seeks to offer better protections for residents living in manufactured home communities. These residents, who rent the land beneath their homes, are advocating for a set of bills that promise to address various vulnerabilities they face.
Deb Campbell, a senior community member and part of the advocacy group MHAction, was involved in the discussions to draft the new legislation. Campbell emphasized the importance of these bills, highlighting that they represent overdue acknowledgment of a largely overlooked segment of the population. “People in manufactured home communities are invisible to others,” she stated, pointing out that these communities often house the most vulnerable, including seniors, veterans, and the disabled.
Central to the proposed legislation is Senate Bill 936, which seeks to safeguard homeowners’ equity. Current laws allow community owners to seize homes when evicted residents cannot relocate them, stripping them of their equity. “The park (could) no longer just take your home,” Campbell explained. Under the new bill, residents facing eviction could choose to sell their home on-site, hire a realtor, or transfer the title to the park, ensuring they retain its value minus any debts.
Senator John Cherry, a bill sponsor, remarked, “Manufactured housing communities are home to thousands of working families, seniors, and retirees across Michigan. For too long, the laws governing these communities have not kept up with the realities residents face on the ground.” Cherry pointed to issues like water shutoffs and skyrocketing lot rents as matters requiring urgent attention.
The bill package includes measures to:
- Establish a public database of licensed parks and owners, with funds for enforcement and resident support.
- Mandate yearly inspections, cap utility markups, and require a year’s notice before tenancy termination.
- Oblige park sellers to offer residents the first chance to negotiate and impose hefty fines for unlicensed operations.
- Provide a 15% income tax credit for owners selling to residents or their associations.
The Michigan Manufactured Housing Association supports the legislative package, acknowledging the collaborative effort involved. The association expressed its commitment to maintaining safe and affordable housing communities and urged the Legislature for swift passage of the bills.
Campbell advocates for recognizing the social and aesthetic value of manufactured home communities, noting their potential role in addressing housing shortages. “I can’t properly describe the peace of mind and sense of belonging we experience in our park,” Campbell said, proposing that more such communities could be developed with local government support.
—
Read More Michigan News
