The Impact of Manufactured Home Community Rent Increases

When we moved into a manufactured home community last year, we rejoiced over the massive reduction of our monthly housing expenses after getting rid of the mortgage on our site-built home. However, since then we have come to understand that others in this community are not happy with the current state of affairs. Immoderate rent increases every December are destroying the lives of many in our community.

2017 rent increase $664 to $699, a 6.64% increase — Social Security 0.03%
2018 rent increase $699 to $749, a 7% increase — Social Security 2.0%
2019 rent increase $749 to $795, a 6.14% increase — Social Security 2.8%

The impact on our residents

In the fall of 2018, the Home Owners Association (HOA) put together a survey to see how residents of our community, commonly but inaccurately called a mobile home park by many, would be affected by the 2018 rent increase proposal. The response was about 25%. From the answers they received, here is how our senior (55+) community, with over 450 households, stood based on the HUD standards related to the percent of their income that is spent on housing costs.

Of the 38% that are moderately burdened, half are in the 40% to 49% range. One more rent increase will put…