Dozens of residents from Taunton’s seven manufactured-home communities told city officials at a public forum in the Taunton City Council chambers that sharply higher homeowners insurance premiums and shrinking insurer options are threatening their housing stability.

“Premiums have raised up an average of 39.5%,” said Donna Dias, who led the forum’s insurance committee and has worked with resident organizers. “We’re not getting the coverage that we deserve.”

The forum, organized by residents of Rocky Noll Estates and other local parks under the Taunton Manufactured Home Communities (TMHC) group, focused on three recurring complaints: large premium increases, limited competition among insurers (many residents cited Foremost and American Modern as the most-common writers), and difficulty obtaining replacement-cost coverage for older homes.

Why it matters: Many residents said they are seniors on fixed incomes who cannot absorb sudden increases. Karen (last name withheld), a Colonial Estates resident, described a year-to-year rise in her premium from about $800 to $3,300. Laura Carroll, another Colonial Estates resident, said quarterly premiums rose from $273 to $610 and the annual total climbed from roughly $1,600 to $2,400.

Residents described inconsistent information from agents, long waits for written quotes, and policies that exclude replacement-cost coverage for homes older than 25 years. Donna Dias gave a concrete example residents reported: an “extended RC” (replacement-cost) charge rising from $25 to $245 in a single year as one apparently unexplained line-item increase.

At the forum, residents urged state-level action because the insurance rules and market participation are regulated at the state level. A city official told the group they had spoken with state Sen. Dooner, who declined the forum invitation but has offered to file legislation on behalf of issues presented to her. The official said staff from the mayor’s office — including Patrick Della Russo (chief financial officer), Matt Costa (city solicitor) and Alicia Madera (chief of staff) — had met with residents on prior occasions.

Several residents reported success negotiating with carriers or agents in individual cases: Carol Lurch of Sunset Acres said calling her insurer as an AARP member prompted a reduction in her bill. Others said Foremost has stopped writing new policies in Massachusetts, leaving some residents placed with the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association.

City response: Taunton councilors and staff in the room pledged to press for information. Taunton City Councilor Larry Quintel urged residents to take their case to state legislators and said, “You have to get the right people up at the state house.” At the same forum, a city official said the council would request more information from the Massachusetts Division of Insurance and refer the topic to a council committee for further review.

What residents are asking for: The TMHC insurance committee asked the Massachusetts Division of Insurance to investigate rate-setting practices and profit margins in the manufactured-housing insurance market; to encourage market expansion so more carriers write manufactured-home policies; and for greater accountability from agents and brokers to offer consumers all available options. Residents also plan to compile cases of denials, downgraded coverage and large rate increases for use in meetings with the Division of Insurance, the Attorney General’s office, and state legislators.

Background: Forum organizers said the TMHC group began meeting in February to coordinate across parks — Rocky Noll, Leisure Woods, Willow Terrace, Redonte/Redonte Estates, Colonial/Oak Hill and others — and to raise concerns including insurance, rent stabilization, infrastructure and ADA access. Attendees said prior local and state contacts who had worked with the group left office or retired, and organizers are seeking renewed legislative sponsors.

Next steps: Organizers will collect written statements and insurance documents from residents and forward them to the Division of Insurance and the Attorney General’s office. The city council indicated it will refer the matter to a committee and seek a written explanation from the Division of Insurance; no formal vote or ordinance was adopted at the forum.

The forum closed with organizers encouraging residents to sign up for email updates, join the Manufactured Home Federation of Massachusetts (MFM) for advocacy support, and attend future meetings on rent stabilization and park conditions.