Madison, WI — Senator Jeff Smith (D–Brunswick) and Representative Jodi Emerson (D–Eau Claire) introduced comprehensive legislation to strengthen protections for residents of manufactured home communities and preserve one of Wisconsin’s last remaining sources of truly affordable housing.“For many residents, especially seniors and retirees on fixed incomes, manufactured home communities are their only affordable housing option,” said Senator Smith. “Without protections, these individuals are forced to choose between unaffordable rent hikes or losing their homes entirely.”
The proposal, LRB-5763, addresses the unique challenges faced by residents of manufactured home communities, where individuals often own their homes but rent the land beneath them. Unlike traditional housing, many manufactured homes cannot be relocated due to high transportation costs or structural limitations, leaving residents with few options when rent increases or community sales occur...
...The legislation would:
- Establish a right of first refusal for residents to purchase their community when a legitimate third-party offer is made.
- Require advance notice and place limits on rent increases tied to inflation.
- Provide tax incentives to support resident-owned community associations.
- Strengthen regulations and oversight of manufactured home community operations
- Impose penalties for violations of the law.
The bill has been circulated to members of the legislature for co-sponsorship before being referred to a committee for a public hearing.
Leo’s notes: Manufactured home communities are one of Wisconsin’s last truly affordable housing options, especially for seniors and residents on fixed incomes—and new legislation aims to protect them before it’s too late. The proposal would curb predatory practices by large investors, limit excessive rent hikes, strengthen oversight, and give residents a real chance to purchase their communities when they come up for sale. This bill recognizes a hard truth: preserving affordability isn’t just about building new housing, it’s about protecting the housing we already have and the people who depend on it.
Ken Notes: I see an uphill battle here. I wish that communities could do more to control the new ownership of these facilities. The properties are being sold as cash cows to investors and looking at the numbers they are...
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- - Volume: 26 - WEEK: 7 Date: 2/9/2026 2:30:31 PM -