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63 <br />Attachment 4 <br />MOBILE HOME PARK RECOMMENDATIONS <br />[Not in County's ownership] [Partner with existing owners] [County management] <br />Background <br />■ Information collected on existing mobile home parks identified several issues with aging park <br />infrastructure and mobile homes. Many mobile home park owners are faced with expensive <br />infrastructure improvements and ongoing repair issues that they are unable to address. In some <br />cases, mobile home parks owners may be forced to permanently vacate a space and /or mobile <br />home due to a failed septic system or maintenance issue that may be too costly to repair or <br />residents are living in unsafe conditions. Due to maintenance issues, deteriorated infrastructure, <br />and aging homes, families are displaced, owners experience a loss of income, and Orange <br />County residents lose an affordable housing unit. <br />Recommendations <br />■ In order to address these issues, one recommendation is to establish a loan program for <br />mobile home park owners to improve and /or expand their existing parks. This strategy would <br />be part of an overall Rental Rehabilitation Initiative for investor - owners with 25 or less <br />properties. In addition, it is also recommended that up to $500,000 from the Affordable <br />Housing /Land Bank Set -aside in the approved Capital Investment Plan be used to initially fund <br />this Initiative. <br />o One function of this program would offer low- interest loans and other types of assistance to <br />mobile home park owners wanting to improve or enhance their existing park. In return, this <br />program would require an agreement between the mobile home park owner and Orange <br />County to maintain a specific set of standards related to maintenance and upkeep and <br />require the mobile home park owner to keep the park in operation for an established period <br />of time. Funds may be used to invest in infrastructure maintenance or upgrades for water <br />systems, waste water systems, drainage, or other improvements (i.e. roadways, internet <br />access, etc.) that would improve and prolong the life of the mobile home park. In addition, <br />the County may explore the logistics and opportunity to lease mobile home park spaces <br />from owners requesting loan funds. <br />Outcome <br />■ Orange County develops a loan program for mobile home park owners for necessary <br />improvements and /or expansions, including infrastructure. The funds would strive to improve <br />and expand the available supply of affordable housing in Orange County, as well mitigate the <br />displacement of low income residents due to the sale and redevelopment of mobile home parks. <br />If the Board of County Commissioners endorses the recommendations, staff will proceed with the <br />design and implementation of a loan program for mobile home park owners to improve and /or <br />expand their existing parks with the proposed initial funding source. <br />J I Mitigate Displacement I I Preserve Existing Stock I J I Increase Supply <br />