Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee |
HB 1884
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Modifying who is eligible for relocation assistance for tenants of closed or converted mobile home parks.
Sponsors: Representatives Ryu, Barkis, Goodman, Stokesbary and Pollet.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/14/17
Staff: Kirsten Lee (786-7133).
Background:
Office of Mobile and Manufactured Home Relocation Assistance.
The Office of Mobile and Manufactured Home Relocation Assistance (Office), in the Department of Commerce (Department), provides general assistance to mobile and manufactured home resident organizations, tenant organizations, and mobile and manufactured home community owners. Among its duties, the Office provides technical assistance to tenants who are participating in the conversion of a mobile home park to resident ownership under the Park Purchase Program, and provides financial assistance for displaced homeowners when mobile home parks close under the Mobile and Manufactured Home Relocation Assistance Program.
Mobile and Manufactured Home Relocation Assistance Program.
The Mobile and Manufactured Home Relocation Assistance Program (Relocation Assistance Program), administered by the Office, provides monetary assistance on a first-come, first-served basis to low-income persons owning mobile homes located in mobile home parks that are scheduled for closure or converted to another use. Tenants residing in parks that are closed because of park-owner fraud or health and safety concerns are given priority to available funds. Payments are made by the Office upon verification of eligibility and subject to the availability of funds.
To be eligible for relocation assistance:
a tenant's household income must be no greater than 80 percent of the median family income for the county where the manufactured home is located; and
the homeowner must maintain ownership and either relocate the home or dispose of it if it cannot be relocated.
Eligible mobile home owners may receive reimbursement of relocation expenses up to $12,000 for a multi-section home and $7,500 for a single-section home. The Relocation Assistance Program is funded by a $100 fee on the issuance of a certificate of title for mobile and manufactured homes.
Owners of RVs, travel trailers, and park models are not eligible for relocation assistance.
Summary of Bill:
Tenants are entitled to relocation assistance funds on a first-come, first-serve basis under the Mobile and Manufactured Home Relocation Assistance Program if a mobile home park is:
closed or converted to another use;
undergoes redevelopment of the park area;
undergoes change within its age-restricted community use; or
closed or converted to rehabilitate and relocate a pre-HUD mobile home within the park.
Relocation assistance is no longer limited to low-income households and verification requirements for low-income eligibility are eliminated.
A tenant whose home was ground set in a mobile home park may receive up to $2,500 in additional relocation assistance. A tenant who abandons his or her mobile home, and otherwise qualifies for relocation assistance, may collect up to 25 percent of the allowable relocation assistance funds if the tenant:
delivers to the landlord the current certificate of title to the home with the notarized endorsement of the owner of record, together with complete releases of liens; and
pays all property taxes due on the home.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.