U.S. Congresswoman Cindy Axne

In her first week back in session, the U.S. Representative for Iowa’s Third District has introduced a bill to keep manufactured housing communities (MHC) affordable amid some Iowans facing rent hikes of up to 70%.

Congresswoman Cindy Axne (D) says the Manufactured Housing Community Preservation Act directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to create a grant program to help nonprofits, resident-formed cooperatives, and other local entities purchase and maintain an MHC through awards of up to $1 million, “My act will give those who are living in these communities an opportunity to be owners of their own property, to have the state and/or non-profit entities get a grant to also help purchase that land. So it gives opportunity for those people who are living there an opportunity literally to pool their money together or to have a non profit or somebody help them out with getting a grant so they can retain their homes.”

This piece of legislation follows a letter Axne wrote to Utah-based investment firm Havenpark Capital to demand answers on significant rent spikes at five different Havenpark-owned MHCs in Iowa. Axne adds this act would include oversight provisions to ensure rents remain affordable for residents after purchase by grant recipients.