Major changes to Michigan’s mobile home laws could be coming for first time in decades
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LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – A Michigan State Senate committee voted unanimously Tuesday to expand protections for people living in mobile home parks across the state, marking the first major revision to the state’s mobile home laws in nearly 40 years.
The package of bills would address longstanding concerns from residents who say they have faced unsafe conditions and sudden displacement from their communities.
It was just over a year ago that residents of the Kristana Mobile Home Park in DeWitt Township were given four days to pack up their entire lives and leave for good. State lawmakers and advocates are now working to prevent similar situations from happening again.
New protections for residents
Right now, residents have no legal right to know when their park has been sold or when they will be forced out. Michigan State Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint) told News 10 the new bills would change that.
“They get notified when it’s happening,” Cherry said. “They have a chance to come together and organize and decide that they want to try and purchase their own community.”
Park owners would also be required to give 12 months notice to their residents before shutting down a community.
Advocates welcome changes
Holly Hook, a member of the Manufactured Housing Commission, said stronger protections for mobile home residents have been a long time coming.
“It’s not just about me,” Hook said. “It’s about residents all over the state of Michigan dealing with unsafe conditions in their park. Potholes, slipping on ice, uncapped gas lines, very poor water quality.”
Marge Wisniewski, a manufactured housing action resident leader, has been fighting for years. Tuesday’s vote left her feeling optimistic.
“Today, something actually happened,” Wisniewski said. “And that’s really going to go a long way keeping us pumped to keep going.”
Cherry said he has worked closely with industry stakeholders to ensure the changes outlined in the bill are feasible.
“We’ve been talking with the industry for a long time and they feel it is realistic,” Cherry said. “So, when I had the industry voice saying that it is something that is realistic for their members, I think it is.”
The bills now head to the full Senate floor. If passed there, they would still need further approval from the House.
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