Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Mobile Home Communities Everyone Can Afford (almost)

[Tom Smyth (tom]

I have often wondered about this. I think it would be awesome.

On Wed, Dec 9, 2020 at 10:32 AM Sharon Villines via Cohousing-L <
cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org> wrote:

> CREATING ATMOSPHERE
>
> Just when you thought this was going to be another boring day in the hunt
> for cohousing, you are going to discover a hilarious comedian, Vicki
> Barbolak, who made the finals of America’s Got Talent and lives in a mobile
> home community in Oceanside, California.
>
> She did a tour of her community on AGT with singing neighbors and flash
> mobs but I haven’t been able to find it online. There are some sneak peeks
> in the introductions to her other performances.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=vicki+barbolak
>
> HAS ANYONE CONSIDERED A MOBILE HOME PARK?
>
> Mobile homes have greatly increased in quality with several comprehensive
> overhauls of legislation. They now must meet federal safety standards and
> are considered as safe as other construction. Some even have green ratings
> for energy efficiency, etc.
>
> Mobile home parks most often have a strong sense of community and are not
> temporary living situations. Stories and discussions about living in the
> parks commonly include community relationships including personal safety
> and shared resources.
>
> A new home starts at ~$40,000 for 902 SF, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. One figure
> I found for delivery and installation was ~$6,000. Lots are often rented
> rather than purchased but coop parks are increasing in popularity. This
> means a higher upfront fee for buying shares in the HOA but a much lower
> rate for monthly fees because no one is taking profits out of the community.
>
> A totally rough calculation by totally not a lawyer or CPA, the option
> seems affordable for households with annual incomes of ~$15,000. With a
> $40,000 15 year mortgage, the monthly principle and interest payments would
> be ~$300. There would be additional costs for utilities, leasing the land,
> etc.
>
> While certainly not exact, I think citing figures is important for moving
> our brains out of the $2,000-$3,000 a month range with a $60,000
> downpayment plus closing fees.
>
> Like lot development cohousing, households can choose many options because
> the homes can be ordered & manufactured individually. Requirements and
> prices can be determined up front so planning is easier. Zoning will
> certainly be an issue, but it is for all multi-unit projects. Mobile home
> parks are typically located on the outskirts of a city and may be on large
> plots of land.
>
> The link below is to an excellent article in Curbed — lots of information,
> explanations, resources. It’s about 3 years old but I doubt if the
> information has changed much.
>
> https://archive.curbed.com/2017/9/13/16275948/mobile-manufactured-homes-clayton-trailers
>
> There are people who specialize in creating trailer parks. Interestingly
> the largest manufacturer (owned by Berkshire Hathaway—Warren Buffett) will
> oversee the whole process including land acquisition, infrastructure
> (sewer, water, electricity), financing, and insurance. A one stop shop. The
> homes start at $40,000 and can go very high.
> https://www.claytonhomes.com
>
> _Mobile Home Living_ is a blog started by a woman who found herself living
> in a mobile home with no idea how to take care of it. Lots of advice and
> information. Big website with many interior and exterior photos.
> https://mobilehomeliving.org
>
> This is doable. Don’t despair. Like other cohousing communities, collect
> data on options, layout a plan, gather your people, and figure out what to
> do next.
>
> Sharon
> ———
> Sharon Villines
> http://affordablecohousing.com
> affordablecohousing [at] groups.io
> To subscribe:
> affordablecohousing+subscribe [at] groups.io
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-- 
Tom Smyth

Worker-Owner, Sassafras Tech Collective
Specializing in innovative, usable tech for social change
sassafras.coop · @sassafrastech
Pronouns: he/him