Assemblymember Fred W. Thiele (D-Sag Harbor) today announced the Assembly passage of his bill, A.6231, to expand manufactured homeowners’ right of first refusal when the park in which they reside is put up for sale. Currently, New York State law restricts the right of first refusal to only apply when a prospective buyer certifies an intent to change the land use after purchase. In this case, the homeowner’s association or the homeowners themselves, have the right to match any offer that the landowner has received to purchase the park. A.6231, if signed into law, would remove this restrictive provision to give manufactured homeowners’ right of first refusal regardless of land use change, ensuring a fair opportunity to preserve the integrity of manufactured home communities.

“Amidst one of the most severe housing crises in recent memory, manufactured homes provide a crucial source of affordable housing in communities across Long Island and New York State,” said Assemblymember Thiele. “Homeowners deserve to have stability and protection from takeovers that threaten to dismantle communities. I ask the Senate and the Governor to look upon this legislation favorably and with urgency.”

“This crucial legislation establishes a much needed, community driven process that allows for the emergence of community-friendly-ownership models, like non-profit land trusts, to emerge when our communities go up for sale,” said MH Action Community Organizer Yvonne Maldonado. “This vital public policy is a necessary ingredient to slow the harmful takeover of our communities by out-of-state, predatory real estate investors. MHAction is grateful for Assemblymember Thiele’s tireless work to ensure that our families are better able to realize the promise of a safe and affordable place to call home in a healthy and vibrant community.”

“We would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Assemblyman Thiele. He has been steadfast for many years to have this legislation passed giving mobile/manufactured homeowners a chance to purchase their park if the owner decides to sell, said Manufactured Homeowners Association of Suffolk Secretary Gale Baldwin. This legislation is crucial because purchasing mobile home parks has become a very lucrative financial investment.Predatory buyers scoop up parks and raise the rents because there’s limited or no legislation to stop them and then they basically give only the barest amenities. Over the last several years it has caused many people to lose their homes because they couldn’t pay the exorbitant rents.”