Vermont State Housing Authority

Manufactured Home Improvement and Repair Program

Manufactured Homes* are an important source of affordable housing for over 7,000 households in Vermont. Many mobile home park and residents have been adversely impacted by the COVID pandemic. Through 3 distinct program areas, MHIR offers assistance to income-eligible mobile home parks and current and prospective mobile home owners.

*Note that under Vermont law, the terms mobile home and manufactured home are used interchangeably. For this program, we will use the term manufactured home.

 

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Program DETAILS

Manufactured Home Improvement and Repair Program

MHIR provides financial assistance for Park Improvements, Home Repairs, and Foundation Installation.

1) Park Improvements for Small-Scale Capital Infill are available to park owners to assist with small-scale capital needs to infill vacant lots and cover associated expenses up to $20,000.

2) The Home Repairs Program offers homeowners funding to cover the costs of repairing existing homes to prevent displacement.

3) The Manufactured Home Foundation Installation can help prospective and current homeowners to pay for a foundation and related expenses in preparation for siting a home, up to $15,000.

Who is eligible to apply?

  • For-profit, non-profit and Co-Op Manufactured/Mobile Home Park Owners
  • Mobile Home Owners who rent lot space in a Mobile Home Park
    • Must be the owner’s primary residence.
    • The home is in a State of Vermont registered Mobile Home Park.

Park Improvements through Small-Scale Capital Infill

Park Improvements through Small-Scale Capital Infill are available to owners of mobile home parks in Vermont (also known as manufactured home communities) to infill vacant or abandoned lots within the park. Park and owner must be registered in the Registry of Vermont Mobile Home Parks to be eligible for the program. Owners can be awarded up to $20,000 per lot. However, parks applying to infill more than 2 lots will require an additional review process, with a maximum of 10 lots per park.

 

Eligible uses of Park Improvements through Small-Scale Capital Infill funds include:

  • Disposal of abandoned homes;
  • Lot clearing, grading, or preparation;
  • Site electrical box issues/upgrades;
  • E911 safety issues;
  • Legal fees;
  • Transporting homes out of flood zones;
  • Construction of a manufactured home pad (or fuel tank pad), if necessary or required by regulation for home relocation;
  • Individual septic systems;
  • Construction of utility improvements such as those for water supply, electricity, telephone, cable television, and gas;
  • Payment of municipal fees such as school impact fees and sewer connection charges; and
  • Marketing to help make it easier for home-seekers to find vacant lots around the State.

Manufactured Home Repair Program

Manufactured Home Repair Awards are available to home owners of mobile homes in a mobile home park (also known as manufactured home communities). To be eligible for this program, the manufactured home must:

  1. Be the applicant’s primary residence located in Vermont;
  2. Be in a Mobile Home Park listed in the Registry of Vermont Mobile Home Parks; and
  3. Must be owned by the applicant.

Given the varying levels of need, this program offers three tiers of assistance with varying requirements:

Tier 1: Awards up to $1,500 will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to households that meet all eligibility criteria.

Tier 2: Awards up to $5,000 are limited and will require additional review and will be awarded based on the evaluation criteria included in the application.

Tier 3: Awards up to $15,000 are limited and will require additional review and will be awarded based on the evaluation criteria included in the application.

 

Eligible uses of Manufactured Home Repair funds include:

Project costs related to manufactured home repairs. Minor rehab or accessibility projects where the home is otherwise in good condition or in situations where the owner is unable to replace the home and the repair will keep them housed. May include:

  • Roof repairs;
  • Stairs, ramps, railings, and roofs for accessibility needs;
  • Heating system repairs;
  • Repairs to walls, windows, ceilings, siding, insulation, or skirting;
  • Hot water system repairs;
  • Repairs to rectify code violations (electrical safety);
  • Preparation for weatherization; and
  • Plumbing and associated damage from leaks.

Manufactured Home Foundation Program

Manufactured Home Foundation Awards are available to prospective and current homeowners of manufactured homes in a park. Eligible applicants can receive up to $15,000 to cover costs related to installing a new permanent foundation or HUD-approved slab on a vacant lot.

Additional program requirements:

  • The home must be the primary residence of the homeowner.
  • Slabs must be HUD-approved for new manufactured homes.
  • Homeowners are responsible for meeting local regulations and home loan requirements.
  • The home must be located within a Mobile Home Park listed in the Registry of Vermont Mobile Home Parks.

Eligible uses of Manufactured Home Foundation funds include:

  • Site preparation;
  • Skirting;
  • Tie-downs; and
  • Utility connections.
Foundation awards will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for households that meet all eligibility criteria. Applications rounds are rolling until October 31st, 2024.
Contact: Vermont State Housing Authority

Frequently Asked Questions

  • For-profit, non-profit and Co-Op Manufactured/Mobile Home Park Owners

 

  • Mobile Home Owners who rent lot space in a Mobile Home Park
    • Must be the owner’s primary residence.
    • The home is in a State of Vermont registered Mobile Home Park.

 

  • Mobile Home Renters
  • Mobile homes not located in a State of Vermont registered Mobile Home Park.

 

MHIR will continue taking applications until October 31, 2024, or the funds run out, whichever comes first. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2026.

 

Park Owners and homeowners can apply multiple times until they reach the maximum for the specific components of the program, but must provide documentation that the project can be completed with this funding, or the sources and uses of other funding. Maximum Awards are:

  • For park owners:
    1. Community Small-Scale Capital Grants for manufactured home park owner
      1. $20,000 per lot prepared for infill. Maximum of 10 lots per park, except in cases where a critical need exists and that more than 10 lots in a project will create significant efficiencies of scale.
  • For Mobile Home Owners:
    1. Manufactured Home Repair program for manufactured home owners.
      1. $15,000 for necessary repairs to maintain habitability.
  • Only one award per repair project.
    1. Manufactured Home Foundation for prospective and current manufactured home owners.
      1. $15,000 toward a new foundation/HUD approved slab.
      2. Only one award per applicant.

 

Yes, with full knowledge and consent from the homeowner, a case manager can apply on their behalf. Application assistance is available through the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) for Home Repair application assistance only.

 

No, this program does not require income eligibility, but homeowners must attest to their income in the application.

 

Applicants shall complete the application and upload supporting documentation through the online portal, which can be found at: https://mhirprogram.vsha.org/

  • Paper applications can be made available by request as a reasonable accommodation for disability or lack of access to the necessary technology and submitted by email to: mhirprogram@vsha.org  or by mailing to:

MHIR Program
VT State Housing Authority
One Prospect Street
Montpelier, VT 05602

  • Please note that due to the increased processing time for paper applications, your eligibility determination, correspondence, and payments may be delayed.
  • For Home Repair application assistance, please contact CVOEO at:  (802) 660-3455 ext. 204

 

  • Park owners will receive a 1099 Misc. tax document with the total MHIR award(s) amount.
  • Lot must be made available for a homeowner, not a rental home.

 

  • Homeowners can apply for financial assistance for home repairs.
  • Homeowners can apply for financial assistance for a new Foundation on a vacant lot.

 

No, this financial assistance is not taxable income for homeowners, and you will not receive a 1099 tax form.