San Jose Mobile Home Parks: San Jose’s City Council has taken a decisive step in safeguarding affordable housing by unanimously approving additional protections for mobile home parks. This move, affecting thirteen parks initially, establishes a new land-use category. Developers eyeing these areas will face a rigorous process, including a general plan amendment and council vote. The broader ambition is to extend this protection to almost all 60 mobile home parks in San Jose, a city that leads California in hosting such communities.
Mayor Matt Mahan emphasizes the council’s unequivocal commitment to maintaining these spaces as mobile home parks. The decision sets a high bar for any redevelopment proposals, reflecting the city’s intent to preserve these bastions of affordable housing. Mobile home park residents, numbering around 35,000, often comprise low-income seniors facing housing challenges in the midst of the region’s affordability crisis.
Residents of mobile home parks have long been concerned about the potential conversion of their communities into high-density housing, driven by the city’s push to address the pressing need for additional housing units. While residents own the physical structures of their homes, they lease the land beneath, offering a unique and relatively affordable housing solution in a city where homes can be expensive.
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This protection measure is especially crucial given the vulnerability of these communities to redevelopment pressures. In the last decade, residents of the Winchester Ranch Senior Mobile Home Park successfully navigated battles against developers seeking to convert their community into apartment buildings. Such struggles led to a deal ensuring residents a place in the new development.
The City Council’s decision in 2016 and 2017 to become the sole decision-making body on mobile home park conversions foreshadowed this latest move. The recent decision represents a culmination of efforts to secure funding and modify rules surrounding the conversion of mobile home parks, achieving success in the most recent budget season.
In response to the council’s decision, mobile home resident Jill Borders expressed gratitude, highlighting the eight-year fight for this outcome. The decision underscores the significance of these neighborhoods and sends a powerful message that the families and seniors residing in mobile home parks matter to the community. This victory not only preserves affordable housing but also sets a precedent for protecting the unique character and resilience of these communities.
Our Reader’s Queries
Can you build a mobile home park in California?
To set up a new mobile home park or expand an existing one, you need to obtain a use permit and get your design reviewed and approved. Moreover, the California Department of Housing and Community Development must issue permits for all homes that will be situated within the park.
What state is best to buy mobile home park?
Texas boasts the highest number of mobile home parks in the United States, making it a prime location for those seeking opportunities in the industry. While California and Florida come in a close second, Texas takes the lead with its abundance of options. This unique feature sets Texas apart and makes it a top destination for those interested in mobile home living.
Where are the most mobile home parks?
As of September 2023, Texas, North Carolina, and Florida topped the list of states with the most mobile homes in the U.S. Over the years, Texas has received a whopping 557,000 manufactured housing units since 1994.
What is the most expensive mobile home park in the US?
Welcome to Paradise Cove Mobile Home Park, renowned as the priciest trailer park in the United States. This community boasts 256 trailers and manufactured homes, with a history dating back to the 1950s. Originally, the owners permitted commercial fishermen to park their campers on the property, and it has since evolved into a luxurious residential area.