Update
Risky Financing Puts Manufactured Homeowners at Risk
Published
One in five manufactured home borrowers use alternative financing arrangements such as rent-to-own or land contracts rather than traditional mortgages or personal property loans.
When families can’t access traditional mortgages, many turn to “contract for deed” arrangements—risky financing methods that often deny them basic homeowner protections. Pew’s new national report shows that 20% of manufactured home buyers use these contracts, leaving them exposed to eviction or loss of investment.
Virginia Poverty Law Center’s housing advocacy teams see these same dangers firsthand in communities across Virginia. From legal representation to policy reform, our work aims to ensure manufactured home residents can achieve lasting homeownership without predatory terms or unclear titles.