A new law in Maine is bringing much-needed protections to residents of manufactured home communities—a vital, yet often overlooked, housing sector that serves tens of thousands of Mainers, especially older adults and those living on fixed incomes.
The legislation requires mobile home park landowners to give residents advance notice if they intend to sell the property. More importantly, it grants residents the legal right to collectively make an offer to purchase the park within 60 days and secure financing within 90. This opportunity aims to prevent sudden displacement, skyrocketing lot rents, and the loss of stable, affordable housing.
Manufactured homes make up more than 8% of all housing in Maine, with about 19,700 homes located in licensed mobile home communities. These communities house an estimated 45,000 people, roughly 3% of the state’s population—many of whom are aging, disabled, or living on limited incomes.
Traditionally, these communities were owned and operated by local families, offering an affordable housing option with relatively stable relationships between residents and landowners. However, in recent years, that landscape has shifted dramatically. Nationally—and increasingly in Maine—mobile home parks are being purchased by out-of-state corporate investors, whose business models often prioritize short-term profits over long-term community wellbeing.
This trend has sparked growing concern, as residents face aggressive rent hikes, added fees, and uncertain living situations when their parks change hands.The new law is designed to flip that script.
In its first year, Maine’s Mobile Home Park Preservation Fund and Opportunity to Purchase legislation have already enabled two resident groups to purchase their communities, preserving the affordability of over 400 homes. A third park with 42 homes is also under contract to be resident-owned by spring.
“This is about giving Mainers a fair shot at protecting the communities they’ve built and the homes they’ve invested in,” said a spokesperson for the Maine State Housing Authority. “Resident ownership not only preserves affordability—it empowers people to take control of their housing future.”
While the new protections mark a significant step forward, advocates say more work is needed to address long-term housing stability and prevent displacement in this vulnerable sector.
For newcomers considering a move to Maine, particularly those seeking affordable housing options, resident-owned manufactured home communities may soon offer a more secure and community-oriented path to homeownership—one that reflects Maine’s values of neighborliness, independence, and resilience.