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Northampton County Council backs Pennsylvania House bill to cap manufactured-home lot rent increases
Summary
Council voted 6–3 to adopt a resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass HB 1250, which would cap annual manufactured-home community lot rent increases tied to the consumer price index and provide notice and association protections for residents.
Council member Warren introduced a resolution on June 5 supporting House Bill 1250, legislation that would limit annual lot-rent increases for manufactured-home communities and strengthen residents’ rights to organize and receive notice of increases. The council passed the nonbinding resolution by a 6–3 vote.
Warren said the bill targets large owners and investors who “purchase the land these homes reside on” and raise lot fees in ways that force long-term residents, including seniors, veterans and people with disabilities, from their homes. “This will provide greater rights to the homeowners of manufactured homes in Northampton County,” Warren said.
Several council members debated potential unintended consequences. Council member Tom Giovanni asked how the cap would affect homeowner associations that purchase parks and carry mortgage obligations; Warren responded that the bill ties increases to the Consumer Price Index to balance owner costs with resident protection and that the measure affords time-notice and association safeguards for residents seeking to manage parks locally. Council member Kraft characterized the county resolution as a request to the state rather than a local ordinance and urged that the council’s action simply signal support to state lawmakers.
State Representative Hanbridge was identified in council comments as the prime sponsor in the House, with Representative Freeman named as a co-sponsor. Council members noted that the House committee had voted the bill out and that it was awaiting a House floor vote; Warren said he had been told the full House was likely to consider the bill the following week.
On the roll call for the resolution, the vote was recorded as: Warren — yes; Heckman — yes; Keegan — yes; Kraft — yes; Vargo Heffner — yes; Brown — no; Corpora — yes; Giovanni — no; Gofredo — no. The resolution passed 6–3. Council members said the measure expresses county support only and does not change county code or impose local regulatory limits.
Council members asked county administration to transmit the resolution to Northampton County’s state House and Senate delegation if the council requested; no formal transmission motion was recorded in the meeting minutes, but supporters indicated they expected the county to forward its position to state lawmakers.
