Application Portal Now Open The application portal for all three MHIR programs is now live on the Vermont State Housing Authority's website. An informational webinar will be held for Park Owners on Monday, April 10th.
Manufactured homes* are an important source of affordable housing for over 7,000 households in Vermont. Many manufactured home parks and residents have been adversely impacted by the COVID pandemic. Through 3 distinct program areas, MHIR offers assistance to income-eligible mobile home parks and current and prospective mobile home owners. These programs include:
- Park Improvements for Small-Scale Capital Infill are available to park owners to assist with small-scale capital needs to infill vacant lots and cover associated expenses up to $20,000 per lot.
- Home Repair Awards offer homeowners funding to cover the costs of repairing existing homes to prevent displacement.
- Manufactured Home Foundation Awards can help prospective and current homeowners to pay for a foundation and related expenses in preparation for siting a home, up to $15,000.
*Note that under Vermont law, the terms mobile home and manufactured home are used interchangeably. For this program, we will use the term manufactured home.
Community Small-Scale Capital Infill
Park Improvements through Small-Scale Capital Infill are available to owners of mobile home parks in Vermont (also known as manufactured home communities) to infill vacant or abandoned lots within the park. Park and owner must be registered in the Registry of Vermont Mobile Home Parks to be eligible for the program. Owners can be awarded up to $20,000 per lot. However, parks applying to infill more than 2 lots will require an additional review process, with a maximum of 10 lots per park.
Eligible uses of Park Improvements through Small-Scale Capital Infill funds include:
- Disposal of abandoned homes;
- Lot clearing, grading, or preparation;
- Site electrical box issues/upgrades;
- E911 safety issues;
- Legal fees;
- Transporting homes out of flood zones;
- Construction of a manufactured home pad (or fuel tank pad), if necessary or required by regulation for home relocation;
- Individual septic systems;
- Construction of utility improvements such as those for water supply, electricity, telephone, cable television, and gas;
- Payment of municipal fees such as school impact fees and sewer connection charges; and
- Marketing to help make it easier for home-seekers to find vacant lots around the State.
Applications will be accepted in rounds until October 31st, 2024, or until funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first. To find the MHIR application check out VSHA’s website.
Manufactured Home Repair
Manufactured Home Repair Awards are available to home owners of mobile homes in a mobile home park (also known as manufactured home communities). To be eligible for this program, the manufactured home must:
- Be the applicant’s primary residence located in Vermont;
- Be in a Mobile Home Park listed in the Registry of Vermont Mobile Home Parks; and
- Must be owned by the applicant.
Given the varying levels of need, this program offers three tiers of assistance with varying requirements:
Tier 1: Awards up to $1,500 will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to households that meet all eligibility criteria.
Tier 2: Awards up to $5,000 are limited and will require additional review and will be awarded based on the evaluation criteria included in the application.
Tier 3: Awards up to $15,000 are limited and will require additional review and will be awarded based on the evaluation criteria included in the application.
Eligible uses of Manufactured Home Repair funds include:
Project costs related to manufactured home repairs. Minor rehab or accessibility projects where the home is otherwise in good condition or in situations where the owner is unable to replace the home and the repair will keep them housed. May include:
- Roof repairs;
- Stairs, ramps, railings, and roofs for accessibility needs;
- Heating system repairs;
- Repairs to walls, windows, ceilings, siding, insulation, or skirting;
- Hot water system repairs;
- Repairs to rectify code violations (electrical safety);
- Preparation for weatherization; and
- Plumbing and associated damage from leaks.
Applications are rolling until October 31st, 2024, or until funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first. To find the MHIR Application for Home Owners check out VSHA's website.
Manufactured Home Foundations
Manufactured Home Foundation Awards are available to prospective and current homeowners of manufactured homes in a park. Eligible applicants can receive up to $15,000 to cover costs related to installing a new permanent foundation or HUD-approved slab on a vacant lot.
Additional program requirements:
- The home must be the primary residence of the homeowner.
- Slabs must be HUD-approved for new manufactured homes.
- Homeowners are responsible for meeting local regulations and home loan requirements.
- The home must be located within a Mobile Home Park listed in the Registry of Vermont Mobile Home Parks.
Eligible uses of Manufactured Home Foundation funds include:
- Site preparation;
- Skirting;
- Tie-downs; and
- Utility connections.
Foundation grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for households that meet all eligibility criteria. Applications are rolling until October 31st, 2024, or until funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first. To find the MHIR application for Home Owners check out VSHA’s website.
Related Resources
A useful list of contractors can be found on the Efficiency Vermont Website
For homes with lead-based paint or asbestos-containing materials, visit the Vermont Department of Health Website for procedures
For more information about mold in homes, visit the Vermont Department of Health Website
Contact Us
For program questions or assistance with Infill Awards or Foundation Awards, contact VSHA at: mhirprogram@vsha.org
For Home Repair Award application assistance, contact CVOEO’s Mobile Home Program at: (802) 660-3455 ext. 204.
For other questions or concerns, contact DHCD at: MHIR@vermont.gov
Program Partners
