History

History of Manufactured Home Communities in the USA

The year 1997 became a turning point for manufactured homeowners in our housing market. An event that would impact thousands of people in the state of Illinois that did not see it coming. A one-page document with a total of 23 lines, that to this day still has an enormous influence on our daily lives.

An Act concerning rent control, SB 531 became Public Act 90-0313. This act provides that no unit of government shall enact, maintain, or enforce an ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property. A unit of government may not regulate or control the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property.

MHOAI was first established in the 1970s bringing with it the adoption of the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenants Rights Act. We are not sure what happened regarding the original board members but with research have found some information. Over the years needed papers were still being filed to keep the organization as a non-profit with the state of Illinois. In the mid-1990s homeowners state-wide realized that we needed to bring MHOAI back to life. It was realized that if homeowners did not band together more laws and abuse of laws such as SB 531 would continue. Homeowner associations were being formed throughout the state and organizing.

Note: In the 1970s the State of Illinois passed tax legislation allowing Counties that were not home rule units to put in place a tax that only manufactured homeowners would pay. Cook County was and still is the only home rule county in Illinois. Only families that live in manufactured homes are required to pay this tax. This tax comes with different names depending on which county you live in, Local Service Tax, County Tax, and Privilege Tax are examples. This tax starts at 15 cents per foot for new homes and goes down as the home ages. The money collected goes into the County’s General Fund.

This tax law has a bit of a twist in order to increase the tax cost. For the counties to raise the tax they must have the blessing of the state legislators. This is one reason MHOAI volunteers need to keep an eye on what is happening at our state capitol each year.

In this timeline, we will use “County Tax” as the reference. In 2010 after years of opposing counties wanting an increase, some years as much as 400%, an agreed-upon law was passed. Consumers who would purchase a home placed on land the consumer owns will turn the manufactured home title over to the Secretary of State and the homeowner will now be taxed as real estate instead of personal property.

Cook County Commissioners in the past have pursued efforts to bring this tax to their county, and it was much more than 15 cents per square foot. With help from allied partners, MHOAI was able to stop the passage of the County Ordinance.

 

Through the Years of Manufactured Home Communities in the USA

1920s Increasing availability of automobiles allows more travel.

1920s-1930s Camp/Travel Trailer is invented and popularized.

1930s Public “trailer parks” were invented; private “trailer parts,” with more amenities soon out-popularized the municipal venues.

Late 1930s The Great Depression progresses, more and more workers use travel trailers as a housing option in search of employment Travel trailers began to house transient male workers for months at a time in every major city. Public opinion begins to tum against the parts.

1930s-early 1940s World War II precipitates the move of hundreds of thousands of workers to defense production centers, creating a severe housing shortage. Many lived in tents, cardboard shacks, barns, chicken coops, etc. Workers, employers, and government agencies use every available travel trailer. Most trailers are poorly constructed, due to the speed of production. The Trailer Coach Association developed.

1942 National Housing Agency (NHA) is developed. NHA viewed trailers as substandard and donated all government trailers to colleges and universities after the war.

Postwar era Most defense Industry workers, construction workers, migrant farmworkers, etc., remain in wartime locations. Returning military personnel stress housing markets in many areas of the United States. The Travel Trailer manufacturing industry reluctantly accepts the new role of producing homes rather than trailers.

1948 Seven percent of the US population are living in travel trailers. Most people begin to adapt the units as permanent dwellings.

1950s Multiple books and films depict communities as inhabited by drunks, wife-beaters, and child abusers. Simultaneously, residents of parks began to shift to families rather than transient workers. Manufacturers publish pro-family environment propaganda.

Civic leaders demonstrate community prejudice, zoning communities to commercial and Industrial areas; often away from basic city services (transportation, health care facilities, libraries, museums, schools). Location reinforces a popular perception of communities as undesirable places to live.

1953 Trailer Coach Association becomes Mobile Home Manufacturing Association.

1954 Elmer Frey develops a new width model with a first-time dinette kitchen. Frey argues with legislators for transportation rights, and coins the phrase “mobile home.” Super-sized models of up to 50 feet were developed.

1950s-1960s The design of homes Improve, but not all manufacturers made improvements.

1960s A variety of architectural designs and building materials are available for the first time. Double-wide homes are introduced in 1969. Many communities begin to take on qualities of suburban life. The first state manufactured homeowners’ associations are formed.

1963 The American National Standards Institute develops construction standards. Those in compliance affix a label to their product to ensure quality to consumers.

1970-1972 Development of communities is at an all-time high. Nearly 164 million federal dollars are loaned to community owners.

1974 The Mobile Home Construction & Safety Standards Act is passed and new standards were implemented on June 15, 1976. Manufactured homes are the 1st private sector building type to be regulated by a mandatory federal code. Financial institutions begin to give more loans analogous to those offered to stick-built home buyers.

1975 Mobile Home Manufacturing Association becomes Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI). This organization includes Landlords, Manufacturers, and Financial Institutions.

1980s-1990s Homes begin to resemble stick-built homes as designs changed and lot sizes increased.

2000 The first national assembly of manufactured homeowners takes place In Illinois. A national organization representing homeowners is born.

2001 The first organized Manufactured Home Owners Day (MHO Day) at our state capitol in Springfield. The slogan “Come Walk with Us and Stand Beside Us” brought 300 Homeowners attending hoping for change. Media Headlines: Runaway Rent Increases and Leases: The Outrageous and the Ludicrous.

  • HB 681 was signed into law. Provided that the Illinois Department of Public (IDPH) establish the Manufactured Home Quality Assurance Board appointing homeowners, landlords, and IDPH representatives. MHOAI representatives are placed on this Committee.
  • Two County Tax pieces of state legislation to raise taxes by 400% in the manufactured housing market are stopped.
  • Federal legislation is passed putting in place the HUD Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) to upgrade existing construction and safety standards. The 21-member committee is made up of consumer, industry, and interested party representatives. MHOAI had a consumer representative on this committee.

2002 The second MHO Day in Springfield is on May 14th. “Our Turn to Speak, United We Stand”

  • Media Headlines: Ongoing Rent Issues: Enough is Enough.
  • MHOAI works with the IDPH allowing the state of Illinois to be approved by HUD as a State Administrative Agency (SAA) regarding consumer/homeowner complaints.
  • New manufactured home licensing and installation laws are put in place.
  • A tax bill to raise the County Taxes paid by manufactured homeowners is stopped in the Senate to address MHOAI concerns.
  • MHOAI works with the Illinois Department of Public Health to put in place the STAR program which provides radios to residents in manufactured home communities to help with safety issues during the tornado season.
  • 15 State Manufactured Homeowner Associations across the nation form the Manufactured Home Owners Association of America and Illinois hosts the first national convention.
  • MHOAI brings a focus to fire safety issues in manufactured home communities.

2003 The third MHO Day in Springfield takes place on May 21. “We Mean Business & United We Stand”

  • Media Headlines: The Illinois Attorney General filed a lawsuit for consumer fraud and deceptive business practices regarding rent increases against a Landlord.
  • Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELS), a development company owned by Samuel Zell, goes public on the New York Stock Exchange. Rent increases skyrocket.
  • Approximately 40 residents residing in the Willow Lake Estates Community buy a share of ELS stock allowing them to attend a shareholders’ meeting in Chicago to air their issues and concerns.
  • Elected officials are now paying attention and attending homeowner association meetings state-wide.
  • County taxing bodies get creative with ways to target the manufactured housing market. State legislation to raise the County Tax by 400% was brought to state legislators. MHOAI was again able to stop this tax increase.
  • Rent justification legislation is introduced, and passed the Senate, but was then held in the House Chamber.
  • This year began the work on a book when Illinois and leadership from other states joined with AARP and the National Consumer Law Center called “Shifting the Balance of Power.” This book has models of legislation that manufactured homeowners can take to their state legislators.
  • H8 2291 was passed amending the Mobile Home Local Services Tax Act (County Tax) providing that a manufactured home owned and used exclusively by a disabled veteran or the spouse or unmarried surviving spouse of the veteran is exempt from the tax imposed by the Act (Privilege Tax).
  • MHOAI becomes a federally recognized 501 c 3 non-profit organization.

2004 Our fourth MHO Day brought with it approximately 550 homeowners on April 21. Legislators were expecting us and acknowledged our group in the House and Senate floor chambers.

  • SR 474 was passed bringing with it a task force to focus on manufactured homeowner issues.
  • MHOAI is again able to stop the tax bills that counties brought forward targeting our housing market that would take more money out of manufactured homeowners’ pockets.
  • SB 2791 is passed amending the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenants Rights Act. Included are Landlord disclosures and responsibilities:
    1. 5-year rent history.
    2. Landlord’s responsibilities in the community.
    3. Fees are imposed in addition to basic rent.
    4. Information regarding security deposits.
    5. The landlord shall not charge a transfer or selling fee as a condition of the sale of the home that will remain in the community unless a service is rendered. (Entrance and Exit Fees).
    6. Remedies for the publication of false or misleading information.
    7. Landlords must update the written disclosure once a year.
  • H8 4651 State legislation MHOAI opposed, was a technical bill introduced by Landlords that just for starters, would have taken away municipal power to regulate distances between homes, along with other community infrastructural safeguards that were in place. H8 4651 came with one of the most heated debates on the Senate floor that year. Getting the exact number of votes required to move to the Governor’s desk, homeowners held their breath and began the work of getting approximately 2,000 letters to the Governor asking him to veto HB 4651. The Governor did veto the bill and MHOAI was able to sign on 22 other organizations to help with our quest. During Veto Session, the landlords were unable to get the votes needed in the Senate and House, and H8 4651 died.

2005 On April 13th approximately 650 manufactured homeowners traveled to the state capitol for our 5th annual MHO Day. Homeowners are again acknowledged on House and Senate floors.

  • County taxing bodies again came to state legislators to raise the County taxes aimed at manufactured homeowners in the form of SB192. MHOAI was again able to stop the passage of this bill, keeping our money in our pockets.
  • Landlords continued with their quest towards a technical bill in the form of SB 91 that was addressed in 2004 and died. MHOAI opposed SB 91, it was held in the House Chamber and did not move forward.
  • MHOAI worked towards legislation that would allow the Department of Public Health to impose an administrative monetary penalty against a Landlord for violations. This passed the Senate but was held in the House.
  • MHOAI and the Cook County Department of Public Health wanted to overhaul Cook County ordinances in our housing market that had not been updated since 1972. While there were meetings with all interested parties, there were Landlords that did not want the change. With this came fliers sent to thousands of homeowners in four counties telling them that they would lose their homes and be prepared to move if Cook County put in new ordinances. Thousands of homeowners were held hostage by a piece of paper with misleading and false information that was written by a group with no conscience. It became so critical that Lyons Township did a reverse 911 to homeowners explaining the fliers had false information. On September 15th the proposed ordinances were passed by the Cook County Commissioners with no nays allowing a hard-won victory for homeowners.

2006 On March 28th over 600 homeowners joined together at our state capitol. Homeowners filled the galleries and were recognized from the Senate and House floors.

  • Media Headlines: TIFs (Eminent Domain) and Rents: “Homeowner Hell” Carol Marin – Chicago Sun-Times
  • Joining in our efforts on Manufactured Home Owners Day were NBC (channel 5) news reporter and political columnist Carol Marin and producer Don Mosley who documented our efforts. Reported coverage started on a bus which began a journey from Monee with continued reporting on our progress throughout the day.
  • MHOAI again stopped County Tax increases that would negatively impact manufactured homeowners.
  • HB 4342 Fire Safety in communities is again brought to state legislators in the form of H8 4342. This included a focus on private water supply systems and hydrants. It was signed into law and aided the Illinois Department of Public Health to put new rules and regulations into place.
  • SB 3086 As cities have grown over the years many manufactured home communities were being rezoned. Eminent domain issues that negatively impact our communities by allowing a city to close our communities were on the rise. SB 3086 was signed into law. While this would also help other housing markets and businesses with changes to the law, two parts that MHOAI felt would add security to our communities includes:
    1. Requires the condemning authority to have a redevelopment agreement in place with the private developer before eminent domain can be exercised,
    2. The condemning authority would now need to prove that an area is in fact blighted, removing the current presumption of validity of ordinances declaring blight.
  • HB 5377 Homeowners were receiving annual rent increases that ranged from $45 to $120 a month, forcing them to abandon their homes. HB 5377 dealt with lease and rent issues. HB 5377 passed both House and Senate chambers, however, was vetoed by the Governor. With the support of news media, legislators, partner allies, and the Attorney General during the Veto Session, HB 5377 received enough votes to move out of the House chamber at the eleventh hour. It was at this time that Landlord representatives came to MHOAI and offered to work towards a bill that would reflect many of our concerns. HB 5377 was then held by the senate sponsor to work toward future legislation.

2007 Approximately 600 homeowners travel to the state capitol on April 19th Once again manufactured homeowners filled the galleries and were recognized from the Senate and House floors.

  • Media Headlines: Communities in Wilmington and Elmhurst Close and Runaway Rent Increases
  • County Taxing bodies again introduced legislation to increase the County Taxes in our housing market, and are once again stopped keeping homeowner’s money in their pockets.
  • Meetings continued with the Landlord representatives regarding homeowner issues brought forth from 2006.
  • SB 688 is signed into law on August 23rd. This is a lengthy bill that addresses many issues and needed changes in The Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Changes include:
    1. The Illinois Department of Public Health shall deposit all funds received under this Act into a Facility Licensing Fund to aid with enforcement, (money was going into a general fund).
    2. Legal and violation costs or fines imposed on the Landlord cannot be passed on in rent increases.
    3. Duration of the lease. The term of a lease shall not be less than 24 months unless the homeowner waives the right and the parties agree to different terms.
    4. A temporary tenant may live in the home if the homeowner suffers from an illness or disability that requires the homeowner to temporarily leave the home.
    5. If the landlord elects to cease the operation of either all or a portion of the manufactured home community, the homeowner is entitled to no less than 12 months’ notice or the length of the lease, whichever is longer. Rent must remain the same as in the expiring lease rate and may not be increased.
    6. A written 3-year rent increase projection. The increase may be a fixed amount or not exceed the amount.
    7. A rent increase notice was changed from 60 days to 90 days.
    8. If there is no change in the lease at the time of a rent increase, the Landlord must provide the homeowner a letter stating there will be no change. The Landlord must offer to provide the homeowner a copy of the lease without a charge upon request.
    9. Rent Deferral Program. A homeowner may defer, for up to one year, payment of the amount by which rent has most recently been increased if the homeowner provides proof of inability to pay the increased rent amount by meeting certain requirements within 30 days of the increase. Requirements include:
      • The proposed new rent amount will exceed 45% of income and the homeowner diligently lists their home.
      • The homeowner must remain current on rent payments at the current rent amount.
      • The homeowner shall be required to pay, upon sale of the home the deferred rent portion without any additional interest or penalty charges,
    1. In the event of the sale of abandoned or repossessed property, the landlord shall after payment of outstanding rent, and expenses to the community, pay any remaining balance to the titleholder of the abandoned or repossessed property within 90 days.
  • MHOAI held their first and well-attended fundraiser allowing us to reach our $10,000 goal.

2008 April 16th brought another well-attended and productive turnout for MHO Day. Homeowners filled the galleries when they were acknowledged from the House and Senate floors.

  • SB 2434 The passage of SB 2434 (Fire Safety Act) placed stronger enforcement requirements regarding adequate water supply for fire needs.
  • MHOAI once again stopped negative tax legislation that would raise the County Tax paid by manufactured homeowners.
  • MHOAI held our first Resident Owned Community workshop attended by over 60 homeowners from about 15 communities.
  • MHOAI continued to work with decision-makers regarding relocation costs when the land is sold for another usage and an opportunity to buy the community when the land goes up for sale.
  • Success did come with another well-attended state fundraiser reaching our $10,000 goal.
  • Leadership from mid-western states formed a homeowner’s alliance via the National Manufactured Home Owners Association and Illinois hosted the first mid-western regional conference.

2009 Calendars were marked for April 22nd when homeowners state-wide joined at the capitol.

  • Media Headlines: Community Closing in Decatur and Capitol First in Process of Foreclosing on a Community in Rockford.
  • MHOAI once again stopped negative tax legislation brought by county taxing bodies to our communities. At this time the representatives pushing for higher taxes placed on homeowners offer to sit down with MHOAI.
  • SB 1920 would provide the homeowner with relocation costs when a Landlord ceased the operation of the community and notices when the land and community were up for rezoning. SB 1920 put in place requirements allowing homeowners to buy the community. This passed both the Senate and House Chambers, however, the Governor Vetoed the bill.
  • SJR 74 was passed creating a bi-partisan study committee to address issues and concerns that come with the relocation of manufactured homes and families when a community is closed. A report was to be brought forth no later than March 1, 2010. A report was presented in the time required.
  • The 3rd annual state-wide MHOAI fundraiser successfully reached the goal of $10,000.

2010 Homeowners state-wide travel to our state capitol on April 22nd for our 10th annual MHO Day.

  • Media Headlines: Capitol First Comes in Last – Landlord in Macomb Community Declares Bankruptcy
  • A multi-state Chicago-based development company, Capitol First (Richard Klatches), went into foreclosure and filed for bankruptcy. This included 6 Illinois manufactured home communities and impacted approximately 2,000 families. Wells Fargo became the new landlord of most. An increase in Resident Owned Community workshops is requested.
  • HB 6241 Years of opposing and stopping increases in the County Tax placed on manufactured homeowners brought all interested parties to the table. The results and new law, only apply to manufactured homes outside of communities where homeowners are located on land they own. A title will be turned over for a deed and taxed as real property. Homeowners already owning a manufactured home will be grandfathered in until the home is sold or moved.
  • SB 3552 is signed into law. This new law provides that any manufactured home that is situated within a designated disaster area and determined to be substantially damaged or adversely affected by the disaster to have certain tax penalties delayed.
  • The 4th annual MHOAI fundraiser successfully reached the goal of $10,000.

2011 April 131h brings homeowners state-wide back to the state capitol for MHO Day

  • Media Headlines: Capitol First Stays Last (Richard Klarchek) – Zeman Neighborhoods – Not So Friendly
  • Willow Lakes Home Owners Association located in Elgin works with ELS to put in place a rent hardship program to help seniors on fixed incomes.
  • MHOAI continues to actively stay up to date with the process of Richard Klarchek’s (Capitol First Reality) properties that go from a $200 million bankruptcy into a foreclosure action. Tri-Star, located in Bourbonnais, discovers while families were paying water bills to the landlord, the landlord was not paying the City to the tune of $80,000. The City did not turn off the water supply and an agreement was made between the City and Klarchek.
  • A small community located in Pontoon Beach finds the community they reside in, and went into foreclosure twice in a 2-year period.
  • 3 Zeman-owned communities had homeowners coming home to a yard that was mowed rather it needed it or not. This included a price tag of $75 for the mow and $45 for a trim. Rent would not be accepted unless fines were paid. MHOAI, Homeowners, City Hall, and the Attorney General got involved. The costs for lawns were dropped and rent accepted without additional fees.
  • SB1996 is signed into law. The Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act is amended. The new Section provides that the Department of Public Health shall facilitate the development of a plan to address the relocation efforts of manufactured homeowners who are forced to relocate. The Illinois Housing Development Authority will participate in this collaboration along with other interested parties.
  • Illinois hosted a Midwest Regional Meeting bringing in leadership from Ohio and Wisconsin. The Chicago Tribune sent reporters to video and report on the meeting.
  • MHOAI’s 51h annual fundraiser is a success, reaching the $10,000 goal.

2012 Our 12th annual MHO Day had homeowners traveling to our state capitol on April 251h where we continue to fill the galleries and be acknowledged from the Senate and House chamber floors.

  • Media Headlines: Connexion Technologies – Primecast
  • A landlord in Cook County started charging $5.00 to anyone who did not live in the community and drove into the community. This included Grandma, Meals on Wheels, and CareGivers. This action was stopped.
  • Efforts towards a relocation fund when a community ceases operation is continued.
  • A national cable company called Connexion Technologies came to Illinois in the form of Primecast, offering Landlords payments for every home that switched from their current cable company. Families from Springfield to Peoria came home to a recorded voicemail explaining their telephone, TV, and internet services would be turned off until Primecast could come in and hook them back up. After a summer of frustration for hundreds of families involved, this practice stopped.
  • HB 5653 is signed into law. This law deals with financial exploitation that includes family members and trusted caregivers. This updated and amended the Criminal Code of 1961 aiding the Attorney General and State Attorneys in cases of financial exploitation of an elderly person or a person with a disability.
  • HB 5098 is signed into law and amends the Illinois Police Training Act. This provides the curriculum of probationary police offices to include courses for the recognition of elder abuse.
  • MHOAI’s 61h annual fundraiser is a success, reaching the $10,000 goal.

2013 April 24th united homeowners once again for our MHO Day at the state capitol.

  • Media Headlines: Landlord Sell Homes Used as Meth Labs -Fox Point vs. City of Wheeling
  • 50 families receive a notice on their door to have their home removed in 5 days by the City of Wheeling. A summer of media and protesting becomes a common occurrence. Hearings and lawsuits in City, County, and Federal courts begin. Homeowners realize they will have at the least, a 2-year battle allowing the community to stay open.
  • SB 2101 is signed into law. Homeowners residing in central Illinois were being sold pre-owned homes that were used as a Meth Lab leading to health issues from the sale of unhealthy homes. SB 2101 stops this practice.
  • Legislation towards a Manufactured Home Owners Relocation Trust Fund does not make it through the full process of becoming law.
  • MHOAI’s 7th annual fundraiser reaches the $10,000 goal.

2014 April 9th rallied homeowners to our state capitol where our group is again recognized by the Senate Chamber.

  • Media Headlines: Mobile Home Residents Protest Landlord’s Fines – Landlord is Mistreating Mobile Home Owners – Message to Mobile Home Residents: Don’t Be Afraid – Mobile Home Uproar
  • Large development companies have gobbled up the RNA and PA communities over the years. Many landlords are now out of state development companies and some are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Landlords declaring foreclosure and bankruptcy is sadly no longer a big surprise.
  • Sun Companies, a publicly-traded company based in Michigan, buys 3 communities in Illinois.
  • Homeowners in Urbana and Rantoul send complaint forms to Attorney General regarding lease issues when RV Horizons, a multi-state development company out of Colorado, gives unreasonable leases disregarding Illinois lease laws. The leases were changed.
  • Zeman Neighborhoods is a multi-state company based in Illinois owning approximately 20 communities in Illinois. Homeowners in Elk Grove Township came home to property taken from their yards and violation notices with fines of $300 and more. The Manager would not take rent unless fines were paid, and threw the word “eviction” at every turn to intimidate families.
  • Fox Point families continue with lawsuits when the City of Wheeling posted 5-day notices for them to move their homes. The State Administrative Review Judge has sent cases back to the City of Wheeling. The Federal case is still in discovery and homeowners are still in their homes.
  • The City of Bloomington starts a pilot Home Rehab Program for manufactured homeowners.
  • HB 4123 Disclosure and Notice Protections, is signed into law. Included in this law are:
    1. The off-sight legal entity (Landlord) business name, address, and telephone number, any manager or designated agent must be given to homeowners.
    2. If a community is sold the purchaser must provide written notice within 20 days to the homeowners that include the new business name (Landlord) address and telephone number.
    3. No lease shall waiver the right to a trial by jury.
    4. The security deposit received from a homeowner shall continue to be the property of the homeowner and shall not be commingled with the assets of the community owner and shall not be subject to claims of a creditor.
    5. In the case of a foreclosure proceeding, a written notice of bankruptcy, receivership, or foreclosure shall be provided to the homeowners within 30 days of the commencement of the case or proceeding.
    6. A notice to Homeowners must be given when violations regarding health and safety issues have been cited by a Department of Public Health or other department having jurisdiction, which has not been rectified within the time period allotted by the Department. A separate fine of $250 can be applied if a notice is not given. Any authority that has jurisdiction for this purpose has the authority to adopt ordinances/rules to enforce this section.
  • MHOAI’s 8th annual fundraiser again raises the goal of $10,000 to continue with a voice for manufactured homeowners.

2015 April 22nd brought homeowners attending our 15th MHO Day. Homeowners proudly stood in the galleries when our group was announced from the Senate floor.

  • Media Headlines: Residents Upset Over Infrastructure – Judge says “No to YES!”
  • This year a higher than average volume of homeowners state-wide contacted enforcement agencies that oversee the infrastructure of the community regarding landlord responsibility for streets, trees, sewer, and common areas. Many complaints are due to large development companies/Landlords.
  • An Illinois manufacturer home buyer takes the Denver, Colorado-based company “YES! Communities” to small claims court to get back the $10,000 for the down payment on a home. The Judge ruled in favor of the buyer and was ordered to pay the buyer’s attorney fees.
  • HB 1285 MHOAI, AARP, and other allied partners contacting elected officials for several years. In short: If you are collecting social security and are laid off from your job, you can now collect full unemployment benefits and social security shall not be considered disqualifying income.
  • SB 1702 makes it to the Governor’s Desk. Governor Rauner vetoed the bill sending it back to the Senate. This would put in place a program requiring applications for dealer licenses when 5 or more manufactured homes are sold by a dealer or community landlord via the Secretary of state. On March 28th MHOAI organized a Leadership meeting that had representatives from 10 different communities.
  • A Leadership meeting was attended by homeowner representatives from 10 different communities.
  • MHOAI website gets a facelift.

2016 April 20th brought homeowners together for our 16th MHO Day and were recognized from the senate floor.

  • Media headlines: Urbana Uproar – Attorney General Investigates RV Horizons – Unfair Fines Out of Control.
  • HB 1056 Signed into law on July 22nd, this new law will require dealers and community landlords who sell more than 5 new or pre-owned homes to apply for a license via the Secretary of State.
  • HB 6285 Signed into law on August 5th, addresses the issue regarding fines given by the landlord. If a fine is imposed the following applies for 45 days after a written notice is given:
    1. Non-payment of a fine shall not be grounds for refusal of rent payment.
    2. The fine shall not be deducted from a rent payment.
  • A Colorado-based development company, RV Horizons, bought about 12 communities in the Champaign, Urbana, and Danville areas, bringing their total of Illinois communities to approximately 36 state-wide. Once RV Horizons had full ownership, the families of these communities started to receive notices that brought new monthly costs, along with many other issues, that did not comply with the legal process that Illinois law requires. Complaint forms from homeowners residing in RV Horizon Communities were given to the Attorney General’s office opening up an investigation. New leases were given to the residents.
  • A leadership meeting bringing together homeowners from about 10 different communities.
  • MHOAI volunteers bring a successful fundraiser via a Golf Outing and state Garage Sale.

2017 April 26th again brought homeowners together for our 17th MHO Day and recognized from the Senate floor.

  • Media Headlines continue with the RV Horizon Development/Landlord Company located in Colorado that has now bought 36 communities in Illinois.
  • March 11th brought a successful leadership meeting when homeowners from different communities state-wide came together.
  • SB 569 Community Violations, received enough votes to pass in the Senate SB 569 addresses ongoing health and safety code issues that are the responsibility of the Landlord/Development Company and is not corrected, in some communities for years. If ongoing violations are not addressed by the landlord in a timely manner, a rent increase cannot go into place until the violations are corrected.
  • 20% of the House Members (State Representatives) will be leaving and it would not be surprising if more announcements are to come.
  • MHOAI volunteers bring a successful fundraiser via a Golf Outing and Garage Sale allowing us to move forward with our shared goals.

2018 April 28th again brought homeowners together for our 18th MHO Day, bringing a loud and clear message.

  • Media Headlines continue with the RV Horizon Development/Landlord Company located in Colorado that has now bought 36 communities in Illinois. Communities with wells are finding that the landlord is not maintaining the well. Blackhawk, a Zeman-owned community of 600 families was without water for days and some weeks.
  • Management rollover in communities is now considered the norm. Many communities now have as many as 3 or more new managers in one year. Communities of the larger development companies have regional managers that share the same revolving door.
  • SB 3261 Abandoned Homes, was signed into law on August 24th. This was legislation that the landlord organization brought forth. Originally SB 3261 would have taken away many legal rights of the homeowners. SB 3261 was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee After many meetings, the language of the bill was changed allowing for MHOAI concerns to be addressed.
  • SB 569 Community Violations, addressed health and safety code violations in manufactured home communities. SB 569 passed the Senate. Once in the House, SB 569 received a tie vote in the Judiciary – Civil Committee and was held.
  • Organizations state-wide ban together to form the “Lift the Ban” collation to address the state law that allows landlords of commercial and private residential properties to raise rents with no justification and no limit to the increase. MHOAI and other organizations attended the hearing state-wide and at the capitol.
  • The City of Springfield puts in place new ordinances that protect manufactured homeowners.
  • MHOAI volunteers held successful fundraisers via a Golf Outing in Frankfort, Casino Night in Elgin, and raffle ticket sales, allowing us to move forward with our shared goals.

2019 April 10th brought homeowners together for our 19th MHO Day, bringing a focus on issues that included run-away rent increases.

  • Media Headlines: RV Horizon media attention brings new names for the same company which includes Impact and Strive. Out-of-control rent increases make the news.
  • Another community files consumer complaints to the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Attorney General against RV Horizon located in Morton, IL. The Illinois Department of Public Health has placed a stop-work order with the Colorado-based company until the correct permits are obtained and infrastructural issues are corrected.
  • HB 925 Mobile Home Penalty Act. was signed into law. This puts in place a not to exceed amount regarding the Local Services Tax Act for late charges that only manufactured homeowners pay to their county each year. Updates the Illinois Water Well Construction Code and the Surface Source Treatment Code. Provides that the Illinois Department of Public Health shall adopt rules defining classes of violations.
  • SB 1602 Abandoned Home Act, was signed into law. This addresses the state license that a landlord must obtain if a Landlord or dealer sells 5 or more homes in a 12-month period that was passed in 2016. SB 1602 addresses issues that come when a landlord moves a new home from one location to another.
  • SB 1623 Abandoned Home Act, was signed into law. Landlords wanted to adjust a law passed last year. MHOAI was there to make sure our homeowner rights stayed in place.
  • HB 2489 Mobile Home Transport Report. Amends the Mobile Home Local Services Tax Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall provide the county collector a quarterly report of the transfer of titles. This should aid all parties regarding manufactured home title issues.
  • The Illinois Department of Public Health via rules and regulations, put in place fines (finally) when a landlord does not comply with violations keeping a manufactured home community healthy and safe. Fines, attorney fees, and court costs cannot be passed on in rent increases.
  • Several pieces of rent stabilization legislation were held by the President of the Senate for further discussion.
  • More townships and home rule cities have put in place a new tax that taxes decks, garages, sheds, and other structures on the lot that homeowners must pay. Taxes can range from $100 to $500 per year. This is a separate tax from the County tax.
  • MHOAI volunteers held successful fundraisers via a Golf Outing, state-wide raffle ticket sales, and a garage sale, allowing MHOAI to move forward with our shared goals.

2020 COVID brought with it many horrible outcomes and tragedies that would shut down our country. COVID would bring heartbreak to many families and businesses. This disease would negatively impact lives in all corners of every state. Our state capitol was closed to the public. Legislators would focus on COVID legislation and the state budget.

  • Media Headlines: MHOAI held a “silent protest” throughout the Golf Vista Estates community in Monee. A parade of cars from several communities parked near the entrance of Golf Vista Estates and others throughout the streets of the community posted a similar message in their car windows: “We need rent control now.” This was reported by several newspapers.
  • MHOAI followed many pieces of state legislation closely, ensuring our membership and housing market were included in the decision-making that came with COVID legislation.
  • MHOAI worked with national organizations following very lengthy bills that included Care Act 1 and Care Act 2. An example: Seniors who worked part-time to supplement their social security were not included in Care Act 1. Employees who worked part-time, but their employer did not pay into the state unemployment fund for these employees. We wanted these families included and given unemployment during the COVID crises

2021 Media Headlines:

  • SB 1779 Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a lender, or agent of a lending company, when offering terms for a mortgage note for the purchase of a manufactured home, shall disclose: (1) any affiliation between the landlord and the lending company; (2) that the loan is a chattel loan; (3) that the terms of a chattel loan prohibit refinancing; and (4) any other reason that prohibits refinancing.
  • SB 1780 Amends the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Rights Act. Provides that if exigent circumstances arise, the park owner is responsible for providing a water supply to each household following a 3-day period of no water when the service originates from the landlord’s responsibilities.