On May 22, the Minnesota Legislature approved and, June 1, Governor Mark Dayton signed into law changes to the relocation trust fund as part of what is called the "Supplemental Spending Bill." APAC researched, drafted, and lobbied for these changes. The legislation will go into effect after August 1, but they are now the law of the land.

The Manufactured Home Relocation Trust Fund will now provide significantly more to either move or replace a home when a park is closed for private redevelopment. To recap what is different:

• The maximum benefit for moving a home increases from $4,000 to $7,000 for a single-wide home and from $8,000 to $12,500 for a double-wide home. If the home cannot be moved, the maximum home buyout changes from $5,000 to $8,000 for a single-wide and $9,000 to $14,500 for a double-wide.
• A minimum home buyout amount is created and is set at $2,000 for a single-wide home and $4,000 for a double-wide home.
• If it is not possible to get an appraised value for a home, then the taxed value (averaged over the five-year period) can be used as an alternative.
• The $12 annual fee paid by the owners of manufactured homes is increased to $15. Currently, the fee is not being collected because a $1 million cap was placed on the maximum balance in the relocation trust fund and the balance is above that amount.

On behalf of Minnesota's 180,000 manufactured home owners, the board and staff of APAC want to thank our chief authors, Senator Melissa Wiklund (DFL-Bloomington) and Representative Anna Wills (R-Apple Valley), for championing these improvements through two legislative sessions, six committee hearings, and an unexpected shift from a stand-alone bill to an omnibus spending bill. As a result of their tireless efforts, these families who own their homes, but rent the land will get the support they need to remain self-sufficient and stay in their homes.

We also want acknowledge the organizations who endorsed this legislation, including the Minnesota Housing Partnership, Legal Services Advocacy Project, Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing, and Housing Justice Center.

If you have questions about the Manufactured Home Relocation Trust Fund, you can learn more at: