Most of those who answered Lacey’s survey on Manufactured Home Park (MHP) residents said 45% or more of their income went toward monthly housing costs, Lacey Housing Coordinator Jennifer Adams reported.
During the Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, October 3, Adams said the survey was conducted through a door-to-door delivery method, which was voluntary.
“It is important to know that manufactured home parks have played a very pivotal role in providing affordable housing options that help bridge that gap between apartment and single-family homes,” said Adams.
According to the staff report, out of approximately 1,200 surveys distributed, only 118 responses were received, indicating a response rate of just roughly 10% across all MHPs.
Despite being open throughout the summer, most of the 118 responses were received within a few days of survey delivery and extending the survey duration yielded fewer results.
“It's certainly a start,” said Adams. “It gives us some talking points.”
A significant majority of respondents in both Lacey and UGA parks reported a split ownership structure, with the land owned by the park owner and individual homes owned by the residents who pay space rent on a monthly basis.
Nearly 90% of participants either own their homes outright or have a home loan, suggesting a relatively stable homeowner population within these parks, said Adams.
Among those with home loans, 14 individuals reported various monthly payments. Seven of them paid over $1,000 per month, two paid between $750 and $1,000, and four paid between $500 and $750, excluding space rent and utilities.
Adams said further research is needed since not all home parks are the same. Still, staff recommends that the Planning Commission should look into proposing revisions to the city’s Manufactured Home Park regulations, with a primary focus on preserving such parks.
She also added that the city should consider rezoning MHPs to a specific zone that promotes their preservation.
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BobJacobs
The title of this article is incorrect. The survey showed information on a small, self-selected group of people. It cannot be generalized to all such people.
As far as preserving these areas, the city of Olympia did this about 25 years via zoning, but then stopped. And of course even zoning doesn't guarantee affordability.
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