Financial Assistance

What state/local financial assistance is available to low-income mobilehome owners? Some programs that provide financial assistance to low-income or senior park residents include:

  • C.A.R.E. Utility Assistance: Low-income residents of master-meter mobilehome parks may qualify annually for a 20% discount on their electric or gas bills through the California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (care). For more information, check with your park management or the local gas or electric utility company listed in your phone directory.
  • Mobilehome Rehabilitation: Loans or grants are available to low-income mobilehome owners through the Department of Housing and Community Development’s CalHome program to make specified repairs on their mobilehomes. Although not all jurisdictions participate, the funds are channeled through qualified local government housing or non-profit agencies. For more information, check with your city or county housing department, authority or commission.
  • Mobilehome Park Resident Ownership Program (MPROP): On a limited basis, this program provides loans to resident organizations and non-profit organizations and 3% simple interest loans to low-income homeowners for costs involving the resident or non-profit purchase of a mobilehome park. For more information about the MPROP process and requirements, call the Department of Housing and Community Development at 916.323.3178, or at www.hcd.ca.gov/fa/mprop.
  • Section 8 Housing Assistance: Rent subsidies may be available to eligible low-income mobilehome residents who live in mobilehome parks. This program is funded by the federal government but administered by local housing agencies. Section 8 allocations are often full and many jurisdictions have waiting lists of a year or more. Not all mobilehome park owners accept Section 8 vouchers. For more information, check with your city or county housing department, authority or commission.

Resource: What Every Mobile Home Owner Should Know, published by the Senate Select Committee on Manufactured Home Communities

Pride In Ownership

Maintaining the appeal of the park is not only the responsibility of the park owner and manager it is also up to you. Each mobile home owner is responsible for the upkeep of his or her home. When the exterior of your house looks good, i.e. free of clutter, small garden, fresh paint etc., the entire park looks more appealing to not only the residents and their guests but also to prospective new homeowners.

If you decide to sell your home there are a handful factors that will affect the price. Many of these factors are associated with the idea of “Pride in Ownership”. Your home may be identical to one for sale down the street and if the person down the street has taken more time to keep their house looking new and their carport free of clutter; their house is more likely to get a buyer not only first but one who is willing to pay more for the home.

Taking pride in your home and keeping it clean and beautiful takes only a few hours every weekend. Pull weeds, clear trash, plant flowers or herbs and enjoy the outdoors. This will also give you a chance to socialize with your neighbors because once one person shows pride in their home it is bound to inspire the rest of the community.

Do not forget about the inside of your home. Having a well kept home always makes you feel better and it can also help with the cost of your bills. By fixing old and leaky faucets and toilets you can conserve water and save money. If your electric bill is through the roof you might want to consider replacing old doors and windows as they can let cold air out and hot air in.

Take pride in your home and in your park. After all, no one wants to live in a place that is falling apart.