The Peru Gazette

Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to support homeowners at manufactured home parks, a critical source of affordable housing for residents in New York State, particularly Upstate and rural areas. Legislation S. 5881-A/A. 5549-A expands the right of first refusal that homeowners in manufactured home parks currently have to include whenever owners of manufactured home parks make offers to sell or respond to offers to buy the park. Legislation S. 7541/A. 7403-A authorizes the State of New York Mortgage Agency to purchase mortgages for and offer mortgage pool insurance for modular and manufactured housing. Legislation S. 7381/A. 7422 better aligns New York State law relating to civil penalties associated with manufactured housing with federal law.

“This legislative package is our state’s latest tool to support New Yorkers in manufactured home parks – a key source of affordable housing in our state,” Governor Hochul said. “By expanding when homeowners in manufactured home parks have a right of first refusal, authorizing mortgages and mortgage pool insurance for modular and manufactured homes, and better aligning our legislative language with federal programs, we are helping to strengthen New York communities and continuing to provide New Yorkers with safe, stable, affordable homes. I thank the bill sponsors for their partnership in supporting this critical path to affordable homeownership for countless New York families.”

Legislation S. 5881-A/A. 5549-A expands the right of first refusal that homeowners in manufactured home parks currently have to include whenever owners of manufactured home parks make offers to sell or respond to offers to buy the park. Under prior state law, homeowners in manufactured home parks were only able to exercise this right when the purchaser of manufactured home parks certified their intent to use the land for a different purpose.

The legislation also requires that homeowners notify owners of manufactured home parks within 60 days if they plan to make an offer to purchase the park and requires that homeowners make the offer within 140 days. This legislation will help homeowners in manufactured home parks safeguard their affordable communities without unduly hindering unopposed investments in manufactured home parks.

State Senator James Skoufis said, “This bill package will empower residents to have a fair shot at protecting their communities from owners who don’t share their vision for the mobile home park as well as aligning civil penalties with federal regulations. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this legislation to establish an equitable balance between the interests of manufactured home park owners and residents who seek affordable, secure housing.”

Assemblymember Fred Thiele said, “Thousands of senior citizens, residents on fixed incomes, and young families rely on manufactured homes as a source of affordable housing throughout the State. Homeowners residing in manufactured home parks lease the land on which their home is situated, making them vulnerable to the potential of serious dislocation or poor management practices through the sale of their park. I was pleased to work with Senator Skoufis in getting this legislation passed to strengthen the “Manufactured Homeowners Bill of Rights” under the Real Property Law by giving homeowners the right of first refusal when their park is put up for sale regardless of land use changes. I applaud the Governor’s favorable action that will now provide these residents with a robust tool to protect against takeovers that threaten to dismantle the security of their communities.”

Legislation S. 7541/A. 7403 authorizes the State of New York Mortgage Agency to purchase mortgages and offer mortgage pool insurance for modular and manufactured housing, which primarily are financed as personal property and thus were often ineligible for SONYMA financing and insurance prior to this legislation. This legislation enables SONYMA to provide critical support to homebuyers who rely upon modular and manufactured housing as affordable pathways to homeownership.

State Senator Leroy Comrie said, “This public authorities bill, which equips the State of New York’s Mortgage Agency (SONYMA), to purchase manufactured and modular homes with personal loans versus the standard mortgage, will help make housing and associated costs, such as insurance, more accessible to low- and moderate-income families seeking single-family housing options. I am proud to have passed this bill alongside my colleague, Assembymember Karen McMahon, as it is paramount to involve our state agencies as active partners to help address the housing crisis. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for demonstrating her commitment to single-family housing solutions by signing this bill into law today.”

Assemblymember Karen McMahon said, “This new law, which grants SONYMA the authority to purchase mortgages for modular and/or manufactured homes as personal property, will enable low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to finance affordable housing. The Assembly is committed to making housing fair and accessible to all, in New York’s urban, suburban and rural communities. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this legislation and Senator Comrie for carrying this bill in the Senate.”

Legislation S. 7381/A. 7422 includes several technical changes to better align New York State law relating to civil penalties associated with manufactured housing with federal law. It replaces the word “fine” with “civil penalty,” replaces the word “licenses” with “certifications,” and it replaces the word “article” with “title.” It also replaces the language surrounding civil penalties with “the maximum civil penalty” established by the Code of Federal Regulations. In doing so, this legislation helps to correct a misalignment between state and federal language to help ensure that manufactured homes are produced, installed and serviced safely.

Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, “Manufactured homes are often the only affordable housing and homeownership opportunities in districts like mine and throughout much of New York State. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this critical piece of legislation aligning state and federal policies to better deter exploitative investors and firms, keeping occupants safe.”