At their March 21 meeting, Northampton County Council voted 7-2 to endorse a nonbinding resolution supporting a cap on lot fee increases being imposed on the owners of manufactured homes. These are typically located in trailer parks in which residents own the homes, but not the land.
In recent years, corporate developers have been purchasing these trailer parks and doubling or tripling the rents (lot fees). The resolution supports legislation pending in the Senate and House that would restrict landowners from unfettered increases.
Under current law, park owners are already prohibited from imposing more than one rent increase a year. The resolution provides that "creating a cap on yearly land rent increases will help ensure more equitable and affordable housing for Northampton County residents who reside in manufactured home communities."
Council member Jeff Warren proposed this resolution, which was supported by members Lori Vargo Heffner, Ron Heckman, Kelly Keegan Ken Kraft, Jeff Corpora and Tom Giovanni. It was opposed by members John Goffredo and John Brown.
3 comments:
The two John’s will have to tell everyone why they didn’t support this and a lot of other things that would have helped their constituents when they are up for reelection in 2025. Dems are keeping track of their votes and will be ready to advertise all the ways they failed the people they represent. Looking forward to replacing them.
Anon 641 hit it - this will help constituents in 2025, and for a few years after that. But in the long term rent control does not work - see NYC apartment rent control studies for examples.
Unfortunately politicians don't look long term, they only look at getting re-elected. So we get short term solutions like this at the expense of the long term.
A sweet but meaningless resolution. Tarea Zirinski would be proud.
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