The Peru Gazette

From the Office of State Senator Betty Little

The State Senate today approved legislation (S6954a) sponsored by Senator Betty Little that would establish a mobile and manufactured home replacement program. Little is chair of the Senate Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee.

Little said the objective is to improve affordable home options by funding the replacement of older, dilapidated mobile and manufactured homes sited on land owned by the homeowner with new affordable and energy efficient manufactured, modular or site built homes.

“In many communities, mobile and manufactured homes are an affordable option,” said Little. “But investments to maintain and improve these properties are sometimes cost prohibitive for lower-income New Yorkers and rarely result in a structure that has longevity and is energy efficient.”

Under the program, eligible units of local government, or not-for-profit organizations, would apply to the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation to administer a local Mobile and Manufactured Home Replacement Program of up to $500,000. The enacted 2016-17 State Budget appropriated $2 million for this program.

Eligible property owners, with a total household income not to exceed 80 percent of area median income, could apply through a local program for funding of up to $100,000 for replacement of their dilapidated mobile or manufactured home. A portion of the award could be used for relocation, demolition and disposal of the dilapidated home.

Property owners could not have liens on the land after closing the grant other than the new home financing and currently existing mortgage or mortgages, and all property taxes and insurances must be current.

Additionally, recipients would be required to live in the replaced home for ten years, or recapture terms would apply and complete a homeownership training program which includes household budgeting, home maintenance, predatory lending and post-purchase counseling.

Little added the program would have a multiplier effect for the area as local contractors, labor and building materials are used.

The bill was sent to the Assembly where Assemblyman Kevin Cahill sponsors companion legislation.