"Richmond Mobile Home Residents Struggle with Repair Costs Amid Uncertain Funding"

Photo byKeyris Manzanares

In Richmond, the plight of mobile home residents reveals a stark reality: aging infrastructure and financial hardship intersect, leaving many families grappling with deteriorating conditions in their homes. The city's ongoing efforts to address these issues are highlighted by a recent push for additional funding, but uncertainty remains about the future of repairs and maintenance.

A Community in Crisis

Fidelina Arellano, a resident of Mobile Towne Mobile Home Park, embodies the struggles faced by many in Richmond’s mobile home communities. Having lived in her home for 13 years, Arellano describes a situation where essential repairs are overdue. With a roof in need of urgent attention and deteriorating floors, Arellano and her neighbors are stretched thin financially, often resorting to significant personal sacrifices to make incremental improvements.

"We are suffering," Arellano told VPM News, reflecting a broader sentiment shared by her community. Many residents are still reeling from job losses during the COVID-19 pandemic and struggle to keep up with the necessary upkeep of their homes.

Systemic Issues and Landlord Responsibilities

Richmond Councilmember Andreas Addison has been vocal about the housing quality issues affecting mobile home parks. He noted that maintenance problems, particularly with roofs and ceilings, have been a recurring concern brought to the city council. The underlying issue, according to Addison, is the disconnect between landlords and the maintenance of park infrastructure.

The Dressler Corporation, which owns Mobile Towne, has stated that while they have invested over $1 million in infrastructure improvements, they do not own the mobile homes themselves and thus do not bear responsibility for their upkeep. This leaves residents like Arellano to shoulder the burden of repairs.

Funding Challenges and Solutions

To address these pressing needs, Richmond turned to project

, a housing nonprofit that has been working to provide repair funding. In fiscal year 2024, the organization completed repairs on 20 homes, averaging $11,000 per home. However, with continued financial strain on residents, additional support is crucial.

Addison has introduced an amendment to the city budget proposing $800,000 in new funding for the Manufactured Home Initiative. This funding is contingent upon a study assessing the condition of mobile home parks and exploring sustainable repair solutions. The study, required to be completed by November 29, aims to guide future investments in these communities.

Despite these efforts, residents like Arellano believe that a more permanent solution could be for the city to purchase and manage mobile home parks directly. Arellano advocates for the city to buy the park where she lives, suggesting that this would ensure more reliable investment in the community and potentially lower costs for residents.

Looking Forward

As Richmond navigates these complex issues, the challenge remains to balance immediate repair needs with long-term solutions. The city's focus on affordable housing and new construction must be matched by efforts to preserve and improve existing infrastructure. For now, residents continue to manage their homes as best they can, hoping for a future where their needs are met with greater certainty and support.