Homeowners of Manufactured Homes Could Gain Greater Security Under Newly-Advanced Legislation

When talking about home ownership, manufactured, or ‘mobile’ homes, are often a more affordable option than the traditional brick-and-mortar houses available on the market. As a result, they can pose as a more attractive option for New Jersey residents looking to settle down. While this can be a great option, there is a downside. While residents of manufactured home parks often own their homes, it is less common that they own the land on which that home is situated.

As a result, these residents face a unique vulnerability - the land on which their home is placed can be sold or repurposed without input from the homeowner, leaving them at risk of being displaced and missing out on the equity they were hoping to build. Additionally, while being deemed a ‘mobile’ home, many manufactured residences lack wheels and can be costly to relocate, not to mention that the scarcity of available space in other parks. These factors can make moving nearly impossible.

That’s where Bill A4973 comes in. More commonly known as the “Manufactured Home Park Protection Act,” the bill would provide homeowners in a Manufactured Home Park with the opportunity of coming together and purchasing the land beneath their homes if the landowner decide to sell or redevelop the property. Sponsored by Assemblymen David Bailey and Dan Hutchison, A4973 will offer New Jerseyan’s more control over their living situations while remaining financially secure. Assemblyman Bailey testified on the bill in committee:

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Also advanced by the Housing Committee this week:

A3388 – This bill would support New Jersey’s efforts to create more affordable housing in communities, and help organizations like Habitat for Humanity, which uses a “sweat equity” model to build high-quality, affordable housing. Under this model, Habitat for Humanity gives future homeowners the opportunity to help build their home, alongside volunteers. It’s a model designed to help those who may not be able to afford a down payment on a home. As things stand, these organizations face challenges in complying with existing affordable housing rules, and because of this, the units are not officially recognized as affordable. This bill would adjust the regulations to help these organizations produce more affordable units while also helping municipalities meet their housing obligations. Assembly members Roy Freiman, Mitchelle Drulis, and Yvonne Lopez sponsor the bill.

A2450 – Community management companies play a crucial role in overseeing common interest communities like condominiums, often handling daily operations such as enforcing rules and managing contractors. While the work they do is important, it often lacks sufficient oversight, and as a result, creates opportunities for management companies to overcharge residents, or place their own interests above those of the community. This bill would address those concerns by introducing licensure requirements and establishing a system of professional standards and fines in order to hold management companies accountable. Assemblywoman Annette Quijano and Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly sponsor the bill.