Posted March 24, 2025

Today, the City of Richmond's Department of Housing and Community Development released a study on the current status of the City's manufactured housing communities. The study, requested by City Council, was conducted and prepared by project:HOMES, a regional firm that owns and operates manufactured housing communities and provides repair and support services for those communities. The study assesses Richmond's manufactured housing communities and outlines financial and operational challenges, including maintenance of aging homes, deteriorating infrastructure, and the high cost of unit replacement.

The study highlights the unique challenges facing these communities, particularly when it comes to financing. Manufactured homes in these communities are titled as vehicles rather than real estate, which makes them ineligible for traditional home equity loans or mortgages. The limited financing options that are available typically require a 20% down payment with high interest rates which makes it difficult for most residents to purchase new units. The average annual income for families living in Richmond's manufactured home communities is less than $38,000.

To address resident needs moving forward, the report recommends:

• While it is unlikely that the City can establish long-term affordability solutions with existing park landowners, the City can direct short-term grant investments toward owner-occupants through repairs and support services. However, this is not a sustainable solution.

• Continuing zoning and building code enforcement with careful consideration of impacts on current residents

• Ensuring any new manufactured housing developments are mission- or resident-owned to sustain affordability

• Not approving additional land for manufactured housing communities until better financing options become available

project:HOMES operates a manufactured home repair program funded by the City of Richmond. This program completed 20 home repair projects in FY2024, with 30 in progress or planned for FY2025 and 50 planned for FY2026. Common repairs include window replacements, flooring structure improvements, roof repairs, and addressing electrical hazards.

The More You Know

• Seven of the communities are located in the 8th District and one is in the 9th District.

• The eight manufactured home communities in Richmond host 419 occupied manufactured homes and approximately 1,257 residents.

• These homes are, on average, 49 years old.

• Families living in these homes have an average annual income of $37,856 and a household size of three people.

• A little less than half of residents are children (43%).

• Cost to replace a manufactured home averages $120,000.

About project:HOMES: project:HOMES is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that takes an all-encompassing approach to housing. We challenge the misconceptions of what defines affordable housing through the production and preservation of high-quality affordable homes, large-scale home repairs, and improved accessibility and energy efficiency for existing homes.