What's Happening?
Governor Janet Mills joined residents of the Hidden Circle Mobile Home Park in Jay, Maine, to celebrate their successful purchase of the park. This acquisition ensures that the land beneath their 31 homes will remain locally owned and affordable. This purchase marks
the 14th of its kind in Maine and the fourth since Governor Mills signed landmark 'Opportunity to Purchase' legislation. This legislation, first enacted in 2023 and strengthened in 2025, requires mobile home park owners to provide advance notice to residents of their intent to sell, giving residents the first chance to submit a competing offer or match a third-party offer. The residents formed a cooperative last year with support from the Cooperative Development Institute, and financing for the purchase came from the Mobile Home Park Preservation Fund, MaineHousing, the Genesis Community Loan Fund, and donors from the Maine Community Foundation.
Why It's Important?
This development is significant for mobile home residents across Maine and potentially serves as a model for other states. It directly addresses the issue of exploitative companies purchasing mobile home parks and subsequently raising lot fees, which can displace long-term residents. By empowering residents with the 'first right of refusal,' the legislation and subsequent purchases like Hidden Circle's protect affordable housing and provide financial security for these communities. The success of this resident-owned model strengthens the voice of mobile home residents in their future and helps ensure the stability and vibrancy of these communities for generations. It demonstrates a proactive approach by state government to safeguard vulnerable populations from market-driven displacement.
What's Next?
The success of the Hidden Circle Mobile Home Park purchase is expected to encourage more resident-led acquisitions across Maine. The state's 'Opportunity to Purchase' legislation provides a clear framework for such transitions, and the availability of funding through initiatives like the Mobile Home Park Preservation Fund will continue to facilitate these efforts. The Maine Office of Community Affairs has also launched a Manufactured Housing Community Data Dashboard, which will annually track lot increases at all licensed manufactured housing communities. This tool will provide transparency and data for residents, policymakers, and housing practitioners, potentially informing future legislative actions and support programs aimed at preserving affordable housing and resident ownership.
Beyond the Headlines
The trend of resident-owned mobile home parks in Maine highlights a broader shift towards community-led solutions for housing affordability. This model not only prevents displacement but also fosters a stronger sense of community and self-governance among residents. By owning the land, residents gain control over their living environment, lot fees, and future development, moving away from a landlord-tenant dynamic to a more equitable cooperative structure. This approach could inspire similar legislative and financial mechanisms in other states facing similar housing challenges, promoting economic justice and community resilience in the face of rising housing costs and corporate real estate acquisitions.
