Title
Approval of Manufactured Home Communities Preservation Recommendations
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the recommendations to support preservation of manufactured home communities.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve staff recommendations to support preservation of manufactured home communities.
Staff Contact:
Christa Lenssen, Senior Housing Program Specialist, Community Development, 360.570.3762
Presenter(s):
Christa Lenssen, Senior Housing Program Specialist, Community Development, 360.570.3762
Background and Analysis:
Manufactured housing landscape and displacement impacts
Manufactured homes comprise between 2 and 3% of the city's housing units but represent an important affordable unsubsidized housing option. There are twelve known manufactured home communities in Olympia city limits with an estimated total of 750-800 units.
Economic displacement can occur when lot rents are increased beyond what residents are able to afford and residents must relocate. Residents may face physical displacement if a community is closed due to redevelopment. When a manufactured homeowner is forced to relocate, it can be very difficult (if not impossible) to relocate their home and may be cost prohibitive. Cost estimates obtained from a community partner indicate rates to relocate a home are between $20,000 to $30,000. Some relocation assistance may be available through the state to residents of parks that close, but that amount ranges from $11,000 (for a single wide) to $17,000 (for a double or multi-section home). As a result, residents lose not only their housing, but the value of their investment if they are not able to relocate their home elsewhere. Owners of recreational vehicles (RVs), travel trailers, and park models (as defined in RCW 59.20.030) are not eligible for state relocation assistance.
Exploration of preservation options
Olympia City Council's Land Use & Envi...
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