A new law in Maine is helping residents of mobile home parks take control of their own communities by giving them the opportunity to buy the land they live on. The law requires park owners to give advance notice to residents if they intend to sell, allowing residents to make an offer to purchase the property themselves. Residents of the Linnhaven Mobile Home Center in Brunswick recently succeeded in purchasing their community for $26.3 million, becoming the largest resident-owned community in Maine.
This new law is part of a growing trend across the country to create affordable housing options and protect residents from rising rents and investor involvement. Housing advocates believe that government intervention is necessary to correct power imbalances between property owners and tenants, especially in manufactured housing communities where residents are vulnerable to predatory practices.
The residents of Linnhaven organized quickly when they learned of a potential sale to an outside investor, creating a board of directors and securing funding to purchase the park. The successful purchase has brought a sense of relief and freedom to residents, ensuring their security and continued control over their housing for years to come.
While the new law has been beneficial for residents, some park owners have raised concerns about the selling process becoming more difficult. However, the law aims to protect residents from losing their homes to outside investors and provides a framework for residents to control their own destinies. Similar laws exist in other states, giving hope to manufactured home residents across the country.
Source
Photo credit www.boston.com