CLASI, for the past several years, has been representing manufactured home owners who are facing large lot rental increases imposed by the park owners. Delaware’s Rent Justification Act, limits the ability of park owners to raise lot rentals indiscriminately, in large part recognizing the reality that manufactured homes are not that mobile. Essentially the rent increases must be tied to capital improvements and actual costs incurred by the park owners. The homeowners typically have low to moderate incomes, often fixed, and are in no position to challenge the increases without legal assistance.
CLASI successfully defended the integrity of the Rent Justification Act in the Delaware Supreme Court in 2016, and has been handling a number of arbitrations related to proposed increases throughout the state. CLASI’s advocacy has allowed retired teachers, firefighters, and other workers to remain in their homes and communities. CLASI‘s manufactured housing advocacy to protect Delaware’s rent justification act is keeping many families from homelessness.
Read this story about a manufactured home community in Duvall, Washington and their efforts to become a resident-owned community in order to prevent displacement.
