Clark County OKs mobile home ordinance

The Clark County Council unanimously approved a six-month emergency ordinance Tuesday to pause all applications to redevelop mobile and manufactured home parks — a move to preserve one of the last pathways to affordable homeownership.

The action immediately pauses all development activity — including applications and permits — that could lead to the redevelopment or loss of existing mobile and manufactured home parks in unincorporated Clark County. Any applications submitted will be rejected and returned to the applicant, according to a staff report.

With the council’s approval, the county now has six months to explore options and potentially draft new land use regulations regarding the preservation of these parks. The six months can be extended, according to a staff report.

“As much as we are trying to support and encourage the creation of new affordable housing, it’s also important to hang on to the affordable housing that exists right now,” Council Chair Sue Marshall said.

Tuesday’s approval means the council must hold a public hearing within the next 60 days.

Councilors were in favor of the temporary ordinance, citing the persistent housing crisis in Clark County. According to the staff report, mobile and manufactured home parks are one of the few remaining pathways to affordable homeownership. There are about 2,000 mobile and manufactured homes within unincorporated Clark County, according to the report.

“This sounds like an action we can take to help protect affordable housing and more vulnerable members of our community,” Councilor Matt Little said.

Councilor Glen Yung excused himself from the vote as he has a family member who may be impacted by the ordinance.

Sharon Pevey, a member of the Washington Association of Manufactured Home Owners, said a majority of manufactured homeowners fear the possibility of being displaced by corporate buyouts.

Pevey said she appreciates the intent behind the temporary ordinance and hopes that the ordinance is the first step toward longer-term protections. She has concerns, she said, that the six-month pause might not be enough time to figure out everything.

“Six months will go by quickly,” said Pevey, 77. “People have invested in their homes long-term. I’m hoping they can invest and help us long-term now.”

Pevey owns a home in Cascade Park Estates — a manufactured home community owned by Michael and Denise Werner — that was recently put up for sale.

As homelessness in Clark County continues to rise, the loss of manufactured home communities could take a turn for the worse, the report noted.

The average home price in Clark County is $630,900, whereas a manufactured home costs about $279,000, according to Zillow. Manufactured homeowners then pay rent for the land their homes sit on.

“People bought their homes in these parks trying to live within their means,” Pevey said. “I think if we want to truly help homelessness, then these parks are one option and they shouldn’t be eliminated.”