Story of Impact from Minnesota’s Housing Scorecard, Feb. 2020:
Housing Goal Five – Support and Strengthen Homeownership
In the 2019 session, the Minnesota Legislature expanded the right of first refusal for manufactured home parks, giving residents a 60-day notice and the right to match the terms of another offer of sale. The Legislature also increased funding for acquisition and infrastructure in response to active efforts by Northcountry Cooperative Foundation and All Parks Alliance for Change. Minnesota’s 50,000 manufactured homes are the most affordable form of homeownership. This legislation closed loopholes that left these communities vulnerable. To make the most of this legislation, organizing support will be critical. For example, Northcountry Cooperative Foundation worked with residents of the Sungold Heights manufactured home community in Worthington, who are primarily monolingual in Spanish, Karen, or Lao, to form a cooperative to purchase, own, and manage the park. Minnesota Housing provided an additional deferred loan to facilitate the purchase and make necessary improvements. These resources will improve physical conditions at the property while ensuring residents don’t experience significant rent increases.
