By Andre Anderson 

Writer/Reporter 

Minnesota’s manufactured home communities are facing a wave of instability as out-of-state private equity firms continue purchasing parks and raising rents at rates that far outpace inflation. More than 180,000 Minnesotans live in over 800 manufactured home parks, and many now say they are one rent increase away from losing the homes they own. The issue has become one of the most urgent housing challenges in the state, drawing attention from lawmakers, organizers, and even statewide candidates. 

Residents describe a pattern that repeats across Minnesota. In Blaine, families at Northview Villa saw an 18% rent increase in a single year, and just this week, residents received notice of yet another increase, raising lot rent from $590 to $650 per month starting September 1, 2026.  

For many, this represents the second major increase in less than two years. In Northfield, residents at Viking Terrace were hit with new utility fees after an Illinois‑based company purchased the park. In Lake Elmo, lot rent rose 40% over five years.  

Because moving a manufactured home can cost thousands of dollars and is often physically impossible, residents have little leverage when new owners raise costs or add fees. Organizers say this dynamic has turned manufactured home communities into prime targets for corporate consolidation, with out‑of‑state firms accounting for more than half of all park sales since 2015. 

The Manufactured Home Park Residents’ Bill of Rights is the proposal supporters believe would stabilize these communities. The bill would limit annual rent increases to 3%, strengthen the Opportunity to Purchase, so residents receive real notice and a fair chance to buy their park, and add enforcement and transparency requirements for billing, maintenance, and infrastructure.  

Supporters point to Park Plaza Cooperative in Fridley as evidence that stability is possible. Since residents purchased the park in 2011, rent increases have remained modest while residents invested in roads, water, sewer upgrades, and a new playground. Cooperative ownership, they argue, keeps wealth in the community rather than sending it to corporate headquarters in other states. 

This legislative session, the bill advanced further than ever before. After moving through Senate committees, the standalone bill reached the Senate floor on April 21. Following several hours of debate, it passed with a vote of 34 to 31. The House, which is evenly split with a Republican Speaker, did not advance the bill. Even so, organizers say the Senate vote created a public record of support that did not exist in previous years. They view it as a foundation for negotiations and a starting point for the next session. 

Behind the scenes, a coordinated organizing effort has been building momentum. Residents from Blaine International Village, Viking Terrace, Evergreen Estates, and other parks have testified at the Capitol, met with lawmakers, and formed Senate District teams to build long-term influence. Faith in Minnesota and ISAIAH have played a central role in supporting resident leaders, helping them organize neighbors, speak publicly, and engage in the 2026 election cycle. Organizers say the visibility created by this year’s work has already shifted the political landscape. 

The issue reached a new level of statewide attention when Sen. Amy Klobuchar, now running for governor, unveiled her housing platform in early June. Her plan includes a commitment to protect manufactured homeowners from exploitative corporate practices. At the press conference, longtime Blaine resident Gwen Elliott spoke about returning to work after 30 years at UPS because rising lot rent made retirement unaffordable. Organizers say Klobuchar’s inclusion of manufactured housing in her platform reflects the growing political weight of the issue and the influence of resident organizing. 

As the legislative session ended, residents and organizers were already preparing for next year. Their focus includes building Senate District teams, expanding resident associations, holding candidate forums, and securing public commitments from those running for office. Supporters say the goal is to pass the Bill of Rights next session and protect one of Minnesota’s last major sources of naturally affordable housing. 

“Manufactured home communities are home to seniors, veterans, working families, and thousands of Minnesotans who simply want stability,” one resident leader said. “This year showed what is possible. Next year, we intend to finish the job.”