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RTM approves $200,000 expansion for manufactured-home rehabilitation program
Summary
The Groton RTM unanimously approved a $200,000 expansion of the town's housing rehabilitation program to provide 0% loans (up to $15,000 per unit) for existing manufactured and mobile homes, funded from proceeds of town property sales rather than taxes.
The Representative Town Meeting unanimously approved a $200,000 expansion to the town’s housing rehabilitation program aimed at existing manufactured and mobile homes.
Director of Planning, Development and Public Works John Reiner told members the money "came from the sale of some of our excess properties. It's $200,000. It's not taxpayer money," and that the program would provide 0% loans of up to $15,000 per eligible unit for health-and-safety repairs. Reiner said the town would waive the usual loan-to-value requirement for manufactured homes but would ensure units are structurally viable and meet code requirements before approving funds.
Representative Morgan moved the measure and Representative Degraphenright seconded the motion. Members asked follow-up questions about loan security and repayment terms; Reiner confirmed loans would be secured by a lien and that repayment schedules would depend on homeowner income, with loans typically repaid at the time of sale. The town expects repaid funds to be returned to the program for future loans.
The measure passed by voice vote with no abstentions. The vote authorizes using $200,000 from non-tax town property-sale proceeds to make existing manufactured homes eligible for the housing rehabilitation program, including a new application form and outsourced contract management for construction oversight.
With this amendment the RTM placed greater emphasis on keeping smaller, existing housing stock safe and habitable while preserving capital to support similar programs in the future.
