KENNEWICK, Wash. – A new law sponsored by Kennewick Representative April Connors will improve mortgage access for manufactured homeowners.
House Bill 1191, approved by the legislature with unanimous support and signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson, allows these homes in cooperatively owned communities to be reclassified as real property.
This change, effective in October, enables homeowners to qualify for traditional mortgage financing, Washington State House Republicans said in a release.
Connors, who has a background in real estate, talked about the importance of stable financing. “For too long, Washington residents living in manufactured homes have been locked out of the financial tools that most homeowners take for granted,” she said.
The Pew Charitable Trusts praised the legislation for addressing issues affecting low-income families. Rachel Siegel from Pew highlighted that modern manufactured homes offer quality similar to traditional homes but at a fraction of the cost. “These homes can help ease the nation’s housing shortage,” Siegel stated in the release.
House Republicans noted Washington’s severe housing shortage, with home prices having increased 828% from 1984 to 2024, underscores the need for such measures. They said the state ranks last in per capita supply of affordable housing, with over 200,000 residents facing housing instability.
The new law initially impacts about 1,700 homes in 30 parks, with more expected to follow, the release added.
