2012 Minnesota Legislative Agenda

APAC is the statewide organization representing Minnesota’s 180,000 manufactured (mobile) home park residents. Our families live in over 900 licensed parks spread throughout nearly all 87 counties. They are one out of every 20 households in the state. They are long-time, self-sufficient home owners with nearly 90 percent owning their homes, over 40 percent living in the same home for more than 10 years, and none of them receiving any housing subsidies. Despite 80 percent being considered low- to very-low income (according to Housing and Urban Development guidelines), their housing is completely unsubsidized and, in fact, there are more units of affordable housing in Minnesota parks than there are HUD subsidized units and rural development units combined.


Lift the cap on Relocation Trust Fund benefits

  • The Manufactured Home Relocation Trust Fund is a program supported by a $12 annual fee from home owners. It provides for moving costs or a home buy-out in the event of a park closure. During the 2011 session, a $1 million cap was placed on the Trust Fund at the urging of the park owners. It was adopted without a public hearing or any resident input. This amount is not enough to cover the costs of just one large park closure. In addition, if the balance in the trust fund is not allowed to rise, it will not be possible to increase the maximum benefits for relocation or buy-out, which are now set well below the average cost for displaced home owners.

Stop cities from charging park residents more for water service than other home owners

  • State law prevents park owners from directly or indirectly charging residents a higher rate for municipal water service than the “rate which is charged to single family dwellings with comparable service within the same market” (MN Statute 327C.04). However, cities are billing park owners as large commercial users, which means higher rates for residents. Cities have fought hard at the State Capitol to continue this practice.

Extend mandatory background checks for apartment managers to cover park managers

  • State law has required background checks for apartment managers since 1995 (MN Statute 299C.66). The law requires that property owners run background checks on prospective building managers. If the individual has been convicted of a serious crime (murder, rape, stalking, etc.), the property owner may not hire them or must discharge them if the manager has already been hired. The legislative history and case law related to the apartment manager background checks demonstrates that it does not currently apply to park managers and the legislature must act.

2011 Minnesota Legislative Agenda


Manufactured (mobile) home parks are the largest source of unsubsidized affordable housing in Minnesota. They exceed Housing and Urban Development subsidized units and Rural Development units combined. They offer very low housing costs (mean monthly rent statewide is $367) and the opportunity for low-income home ownership (87 percent are owner-occupied). However, residents are in a vulnerable housing situation arising from an arrangement under which they own their homes, but not the land. Many families living in parks could literally not afford to live anywhere else, if their park closes, or if they are evicted, which includes many single parents and seniors living on fixed incomes.


Establish Alternative for Dispute Resolution

  • Background: Manufactured home parks present a unique housing situation since one party owns the land and other parties own the homes sitting on that land. As a result, fundamental property rights are put into competition with each other. A number of disputes arise from this arrangement.
  • The Problem: There is currently no way to seek resolution to a dispute without the time and expense of legal action which becomes even more difficult as both court and legal aid budgets are slashed.
  • Proposed Action: In 2007, Washington State established a model program for allowing a quick agency ruling on a dispute as an alternative to pursing a case in court. Either park owner or home owner can seek to use this system and neither is barred from pursuing additional legal action. The MN Offices of Administrative Hearings can offer a similar program that allows for resolution of legitimate legal matters within 30 days at a cost of only a couple hundred dollars. This program can offer mediation all the way up to a hearing resulting in a final ruling by an Administrative Law Judge.

Video explaining alternative for dispute resolution

Increase Relocation Compensation from the MN Manufactured Home Relocation Trust Fund

  • Background: The closure of a park can be financially devastating for residents and most often means the loss of their homes, since their homes cannot be moved due to age, moving costs (from $6,000 to $13,000), shortage of available lots, or parks barring homes over 10 years old (71 percent of all homes). In 2007, the Legislature established the Trust Fund to provide reasonable relocation compensation through a program funded through an annual $12 contribution from home owners (collected by the park owners) and a one-time contribution from park owners at the time of closure. This program replaced a patchwork of local ordinances which funded relocation compensation solely through park owner contributions.
  • The Problem: Parks have closed since the establishment of the program and the Trust Fund has been used successfully to provide relocation compensation. However, the maximum benefits for relocation ($4,000 for a single section home and $8,000 for a multi-section home) or buy-out ($5,000 for a single section home and $9,000 for a multi-section home) are well below the average costs of displaced homeowners.
  • Proposed Action: The relocation compensation limits should be increased to match the average statewide relocation costs and the buy-out limits should be increased to $1,000 above those amounts. In addition, the need for a monthly invoice should be eliminated to make it easier for park owners to collect the $12 annual fee through the $1 per month option.

Require Park Manager Background Checks

  • Background: The goal of any manufactured home park owner should be to provide a safe and secure community for the residents who live in it. The park manager is often the individual most involved in the daily operations of a park, including screening prospective residents, storing confidential records, enforcing rules, and maintaining contact with residents. The background of the park manager can be relevant factor in fostering that safety and security.
  • The Problem: There is currently no requirement that a background check be conducted of a prospective park manager. As a result, there is no guarantee that the residents’ families and confidential information is in safe hands.
  • Proposed Action: Since 1995, state law has required background checks for apartment managers. This law requires that owner's of property run background checks on prospective building managers. If the manager has been convicted of a serious crime (murder, rape, stalking, etc.) the owner may not hire the manager or must discharge the manager if the manager has already been hired. If the manager was already working, and the owner knows the manager committed a serious crime, the owner must notify all tenants. If the tenant's wish, they have the right to give two weeks notice and quit their lease. A tenant exercising this option is treated as if they had given the proper amount of notice before leaving.

See the Bill Fact Sheets.

See the 2007 Legislative Agenda

2010 Lobby Day

Rally for Residents' Rights


Thank you to all park residents, legislators, and allies that helped make our 2010 lobby day and rally at the State Capitol a great success!


2009 Lobby Day

Rally for Residents' Rights


Thank you to all park residents, legislators, and allies that helped make our 2009 lobby day and rally at the State Capitol a great success!

Friday, March 6th, 10:00 AM


Fight for Your Manufactured Home!

Fight for Your Community!

Fight for Your Rights!

Park residents, this is your time to tell your elected officials to value your home and your community. Come to the State Capitol on March 6th to rally with other residents to stand up for your rights.


Watch the short videos below to listen to park residents talk about lobby day and the 2009 legislative agenda.









Location
Minnesota State Capitol Building
Under the Rotunda
75 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Saint Paul, MN 55155

Agenda
Registration: 10:00-10:15
Lobby Day Training: 10:15-10:45
Rally for Residents' Rights: 10:45-11:15
Visits with Legislators: 11:30-12:30
Lunch: 12:30-1:00
Bus/Van Departure: 1:30

Transportation
To arrange transportation to the Capitol, please call 651-644-5525 or 866-361-0173. Space is limited so call early!

2008 Lobby Day



Directions

The Capitol complex is north of I-94, just minutes from downtown St. Paul. It is accessible from the east and west on I-94, and from the north and south on I-35E.

  • I-94 eastbound: Exit at Marion Street. Turn left. Go to Aurora Avenue and turn right.
  • I-94 westbound: Exit at Marion Street. Turn right. Go to Aurora Avenue and turn right.
  • I-35E northbound: Exit at Kellogg Boulevard. Turn left. Go to John Ireland Boulevard and turn right.
  • I-35E southbound: Exit at University Avenue. Turn right. Go to Rice Street and turn left.

Parking

  • Metered parking is available in Lot Q, Lot AA, Lot F, Lot H, Lot K, Lot L, and on the orange level of the Centennial Office Building Ramp at Cedar Street and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. There are a few metered parking spots in front of the Capitol along Aurora Avenue. Meters: one quareter = 20 minutes.
  • Free on-street parking can be found in the residential areas surrounding the Capitol. Go North of University Avenue on Rice Street or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd toward Charles Avenue. Park on any of the residential streets in the area. The Capitol is 3-4 block from this free on-street parking.
  • Limited ramp parking is available at the Bethesda Hospitol parking ramp at 559 Capitol Blvd, just North of University Avenue. This is a pay-ramp; rates vary. The ramp is 2 blocks from the Capitol building.
  • Disability Parking can be found in Lot N and Lot F. The main disability entrance to the Capitol is on the northwest side of the building just off Lot N. There also are drop-off entrances on the south side under the front steps on the south

For information about last year's lobby day, click here.

2007 Lobby Day & Rally

Mobile Justice Leadership Conference and Legislative Summit

Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria

The remains of Shady Lane Mobile Home Park are a daily reminder of the effects of park closings. That is why residents from many manufactured home parks across the state met in the Bloomington library which is located next to where Shady Lane once stood. They met to address what state laws they want change and how that can be APAC’s legislative agenda for this year. Residents from Bloomington, Redwing, Shakopee, Rosemount, Inver Grove Heights, St. Anthony and Chisago City discussed the importance of having statewide relocation compensation so residents who would be affected by park closings in the state of Minnesota would be protected. Residents also talked about the importance of extending the timeline from 45 to 90 days that currently is in place for residents to exercise the right of first refusal, which gives residents the option to purchase their park in case it is being closed for redevelopment within one year of the park purchase. Residents strongly agreed that these were the two things that they wanted to change and they would like to see APAC pursue these changes in this legislative session. Residents also expressed concerns regarding the increase of lot rent over the few years which creates a financial hardship on many park residents that are on a fixed income. They felt that rent increases do not justify the lack of maintenance done in their communities and that this should be something that residents and APAC should address to change in the future.

At this legislative summit residents determined what changes need to happen so residents can have a voice. At the Mobile Justice Leadership Conference, held a couple of weeks later in the city of St. Anthony, park leaders gained the tools and strategies to make this happen. Leaders learned about building power within their communities, how to talk to legislators and elected officials, and how to get people from their parks involved in their resident associations. Residents engaged the presenters as well as fellow park residents and challenged others to build power within their communities. Many residents left the conference with the feeling of empowerment and excitement because they were learning how they can achieve Mobile Justice.

2007 Minnesota Legislative Agenda

These proposals have the support of AARP, Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, Housing Preservation Project, Legal Services Advocacy Project, Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH), Minnesota Association of Cooperatives, Minnesota Housing Partnership, and Northcountry Cooperative Development Fund, among others.

Guaranteed Relocation Compensation


  • Background: Manufactured (mobile) home parks are the largest source of unsubsidized affordable housing in Minnesota. They exceed the state’s combined Housing and Urban Development (HUD) subsidized units and Rural Development units. Residents are in a vulnerable housing situation, however, since they own their homes but not the land. The closure of a park can be financially devastating for residents and most often means the loss of their homes, since their homes cannot be moved due to age, moving costs (ranging from $6,000 to $13,000), shortage of available lots, or parks barring homes over 10 years old (71 percent). In the last six years, at least 17 parks have closed.
  • The Current Law: Under current Minnesota law, there is no guarantee of relocation compensation if a park closes. The law requires that cities hold a public closure hearing and decide whether or not to require that the park owner provide compensation; some cities have decided that park owners don’t have to provide any compensation. This process usually results in multiple public hearings to determine: (a) if such a requirement should be imposed; and (b) the amount and method of that compensation. As a result, cities feel pressure on their schedules and resources, find themselves inserted into specific business deals, and face legal challenges to their role in the park closure proceedings from park owners, developers, and residents. 19 cities have taken the precaution to adopt relocation compensation requirement ordinances. However, this leaves over 380 cities with no clear process and over 90% of residents with no protection.
  • Other States: There are nine states that have guaranteed relocation compensation and four others that require it under certain circumstances. Massachusetts, Arizona, Connecticut and Nevada have mandatory relocation compensation.
  • Proposed Changes: We are proposing that state law be amended to require that park owners pay relocation compensation including the cost of relocation of the home or, if the home cannot be relocated, the appraised market value of the home to ensure that residents across the state are protected from financial devastation when parks close.


Expanded Right of First Refusal


  • Background: Parks are a critical source of affordable housing. They offer very low housing costs (mean monthly rent statewide is $367) and the opportunity for low-income home ownership (87% are owner-occupied). Many families who live in parks, including single parents and seniors living on a fixed income, could literally not afford to live anywhere else, if their park closes, or if they are evicted. Unfortunately, residents are in a vulnerable housing situation, since they own their homes but not the land, and face a number of threats, including the park being sold or closed, needed improvements not being made, unfair or inconsistently applied park rules, capricious rent increases, and an inability to accumulate equity. Even guaranteeing relocation compensation is not a complete solution given low park vacancy rates.
  • The Current Law: Minnesota law gives residents a right of first refusal, but only in limited circumstances. A right of first refusal exists only when a park is sold for redevelopment. Additionally, residents or a nonprofit authorized by the residents only have 45 days to meet the same terms and conditions as the developer. There are no resident purchase rights when a park is sold to remain as a park or if a park is closed more than one year after a sale. There are no incentives for park owners to sell to residents and so owners have resisted compliance with the current law.
  • Other States: There are ten states that provide resident purchase rights, such as Massachusetts that has a right of first refusal, or New Hampshire, which requires that park owners negotiate in good faith any time a park is sold. The time frame for exercising purchase rights in other states ranges from 45 days to a full year. Additionally, some states have included incentives to prompt park owners to sell parks to residents or nonprofits. For example, both Vermont and Oregon have tax incentives for park owners who sell parks to the residents.
  • Proposed Changes: We propose several changes to the current right of first refusal law, including: expanding the right of first refusal to apply any time a park sells, not just if it is selling for closure within a year (a major loophole in the current law); expanding the time frame for meeting the purchase price from 45 days to 90 days; and providing incentives for park owners who sell to residents or a nonprofit.

    For more information or to become involved, call APAC at (651) 644-5525 or (866) 361-2722

2008 Legislative Goals

August 18, 2007
Come to our Annual Meeting and help set the legislative agenda for 2008!

In the past year, APAC has experienced much progress we would like to celebrate. The victories have been invigorating and empowering, making all of us excited for the possibilities the future holds for Mobile Justice. This is why we are inviting you to come to the Annual Meeting and Legislative Summit, where we will celebrate our advancements, reflect, and outline where we want APAC to go from here. We would love for you to come and tell us your vision, concerns and ideas. Have your voice heard!

Schedule:
10:30-12:30 Annual Meeting
12:30-?? BBQ & Celebration

Where:
Theodore Wirth Park Picnic Pavilion
3201 Glenwood Avenue North
Minneapolis MN 55422

You can expect a few things to happen at the meeting in addition to a BBQ and a great time:

  • Meet other residents from across the state.
  • Help set the legislative agenda for 2008.
  • Learn about Manufactured Home Parks Relocation Trust Fund and other new state legislation on Park Closings.
  • Have residents and members making their concerns APAC’s agenda.
  • Active steps towards Mobile Justice!

How to get there:

Take I-94W. Merge onto I-394 W. Exit Penn Ave, Exit 7. Take a Right onto S Penn Ave. Turn Left onto Glenwood Ave. Follow signs to Pavilion!