Letter to the editor: Manufactured home owners need protection

There is a serious issue facing our seniors, veterans, disabled, widows and widowers who live in manufactured home communities, threatening their futures.

These residents own their homes but not the land. The landlords of these properties are not restricted by law on what rent they charge, so these properties have become cash cows for private equity firms.

The Coalition for Manufactured Home Communities of Pennsylvania was formed two years ago to secure new legislation that ensures any future land rent increases be tied to the consumer price index instead of being more than $700 to $1,100 per month.

Moving these homes is not feasible because it’s just too expensive, and renting in another venue is not affordable.

What’s the solution? We need our state senators on both sides of the aisle to vote “yes” for House Bill 1250 and Senate Bills 745 and 746. HB 1250 was just passed in the House by a strong bipartisan vote of 144-59.

We ask our state senators to put donors and lobbyists aside and pass this critical legislation. Please call your senator and tell them to pass this bill.

Reginald Hockenberry

Easton

The writer represents volunteers with the Coalition of Manufactured Housing Communities.