Michigan Senate Introduces Bills to Protect Manufactured Home Residents
Michigan’s manufactured housing laws are set to undergo significant changes after nearly 40 years, as a package of bills introduced in the state Senate aims to provide more protection to residents renting land in manufactured home communities.
The bills, crafted through negotiations with various stakeholders including state agencies, the state’s manufactured homes trade association, and advocacy groups like MHAction, seek to address long-standing issues faced by residents like Deb Campbell, a member of MHAction living in a senior community of manufactured homes.
One key bill, Senate Bill 936, aims to protect the equity homeowners have in their homes, preventing owners of manufactured home communities from seizing homes and stripping owners of their equity in case of eviction.
Senator John Cherry, a sponsor of the bills, highlighted the urgent need for updated laws governing manufactured housing communities, emphasizing the challenges faced by residents such as water shutoffs, rising lot rents, and abrupt community sales.
Key Provisions of the Bills Include:
- Creation of a publicly searchable database of licensed parks and owners
- Establishment of dedicated funds for enforcement, resident hardship assistance, and financing for resident purchases
- Requirement for annual inspections and 12 months’ notice before tenancy termination
- Right of first negotiation for residents in case of park sale
- Penalties for operating without a license and tax credits for park owners selling to residents
The Michigan Manufactured Housing Association, representing the industry, expressed support for the bills, emphasizing the collaborative effort to ensure safety, cleanliness, and affordability in manufactured housing communities.
Deb Campbell, echoing sentiments of many residents, emphasized the positive aspects of manufactured home communities, urging local governments to consider allowing more such communities to address the state’s housing shortage.
