Manufactured homeowners find new ally in Shapiro

(The Center Square) – The clock is ticking for seniors and veterans on fixed incomes living in manufactured home communities in Pennsylvania.

Legislation intended to protect them has been stalled in the state Senate for months, leaving many struggling to afford basic necessities while keeping pace with rising lot rents – and increasingly worried about losing their homes.

Gov. Josh Shapiro spotlighted the issue in his recent budget address, urging lawmakers to advance pending legislation.

The issue: There are over 2,200 manufactured home communities across Pennsylvania. Residents typically own their homes but not the land beneath them. As private equity firms acquire communities, many have seen steep lot rent increases – some as high as 50% in one year.

While these communities are sometimes called “mobile home parks,” many of the homes are manufactured units set on foundations, making relocation impract...