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Resident urges action on mobile-home lot rents and affordability in Iowa City area
Summary
A Johnson County resident told supervisors that rising lot rents and corporate ownership of mobile-home parks are worsening housing affordability and urged county, city and state action.
At the Johnson County Board of Supervisors’ public comment period a county resident raised concerns about rising mobile-home lot rents and the effect on affordability in the Iowa City area.
Dave Knight of 847 Pepper Drive said mobile homes are an important source of affordable housing and said he had seen lot rents increase sharply in recent years after new corporate ownership. “In the last four or five years, they probably bought up 70% of the lots,” Knight said. He gave an example he said was from a park where lot rent rose from $3.15 to $8.95, and said property taxes had increased as well.
Knight described mobile homeowners as effectively unable to move because relocating a mobile home is difficult and urged the county and municipalities to explore options to limit aggressive buyouts and preserve park affordability. He said he would return with a group in two weeks with possible solutions and asked how county officials could help. The board asked Knight to leave contact information so staff could follow up.
Why it matters: Mobile-home parks are an important source of lower-cost housing in many communities. Speakers at the meeting urged county attention to landlord consolidation and rent increases that they said disproportionately affect lower-income residents.
Details: Knight characterized the issue as both local and national, said he has contacted national media outlets and plans local organizing. The transcript does not record any formal board action in response beyond an offer to collect contact information and staff follow-up.
The board noted the comment for future consideration.
