Committee hears testimony on bill to let seniors in manufactured-home communities take roommates

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The House Committee on Housing on Jan. 23 opened a public hearing on House Bill 1204, which would allow manufactured-mobile-home tenants who are age 55 or older to have at least one roommate so long as the roommate’s presence does not violate the community’s age restrictions. Representative Carolyn Eslic (D), who represents the 39th Legislative District, introduced the measure and said it is intended to help seniors on fixed incomes remain in their homes amid rising lot rents and corporate purchases of parks.

Audrey Vasek, staff to the committee, summarized the bill and the statutory background. "House Bill 1204 allows a manufactured mobile home tenant who is age 55 or older to have at least one roommate as long as the roommate's residence in the community does not violate any applicable age restrictions," Vasek said, noting that the Manufactured Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.20) governs rental agreements where a homeowner rents the land under their home and that the caregiver statute, RCW 59.20.145, already permits some occupants to…