Manufactured Home Federation of Massachusetts, Peabody, MA

Introduction / Overview

For Massachusetts residents involved with manufactured housing, whether as a current resident, a prospective homeowner, or someone seeking clarity on community regulations, the Manufactured Home Federation of Massachusetts (MHFM) serves as a crucial, centralized resource. It is important for local users to understand that the MHFM is not a recreational RV park, campground, or a commercial mobile home sales center. Instead, it is a vital, non-profit, statewide resident association dedicated to monitoring legislation, providing education, and advocating for the rights and interests of homeowners and tenants in manufactured housing communities across the Commonwealth.

Manufactured housing communities—often referred to by the more traditional term 'mobile home parks'—provide a significant source of affordable, community-based housing for thousands of Massachusetts citizens. These communities operate under specific state laws designed to protect residents who own their homes but lease the land beneath them. The MHFM's primary mission is to empower these residents, ensuring they are informed of their rights and have a collective voice on issues pertaining to land leases, community rules, and legislative developments.

In a state where housing costs remain a significant concern, manufactured homes represent a valuable and often overlooked source of housing. The Federation acts as an essential organizing force, assisting residents in forming local community associations and working with state offices, such as the Attorney General’s Manufactured Housing Unit and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), to clarify and enforce the protections provided by the Massachusetts Manufactured Housing Act.

Location and Accessibility

The administrative location for the Manufactured Home Federation of Massachusetts is centrally situated to serve as a hub for its statewide operations. The primary contact address is 79 Central St, Peabody, MA 01960, USA.

Peabody is a well-known city in the North Shore region of Massachusetts, offering convenient access from many parts of the state via major routes like Route 1 and I-95. While this address serves as the organization's business office for administrative and contact purposes—it is not a manufactured home park or a community where homes are located. Therefore, local users seeking advice or assistance should be aware that their interaction with the MHFM is typically through phone, email, or scheduled meetings, rather than a drop-in service at a housing community site.

The Federation's Peabody location underscores its connection to the greater Massachusetts community, but its services are relevant to manufactured home residents from the Berkshires to Cape Cod. The organization's reach is statewide, and its board members and volunteers are often actively involved in communities throughout all regions of the Commonwealth.

Services Offered

The MHFM provides essential, non-commercial services focused entirely on resident welfare, education, and political advocacy within the context of manufactured housing laws in Massachusetts.

Resident Advocacy: Representing the collective concerns and interests of manufactured home residents to community owners/operators and state legislative bodies.
Educational Resources: Providing up-to-date information on the complexities of the Massachusetts Manufactured Housing Act and Attorney General’s Manufactured Housing Community Regulations.
Community Organizing: Assisting manufactured home residents in forming, structuring, and maintaining their own local community associations to better resolve local issues.
Legislative Monitoring: Closely tracking proposed state legislation and regulations that could affect the rights, costs, and quality of life for manufactured home residents.
Dispute Resolution Support: Guiding residents who are experiencing difficulties or disputes with their park owner/operator on appropriate steps for resolution and connecting them with relevant state and legal resources.
Membership Opportunities: Offering low-cost individual and household memberships that provide voting rights at the annual meeting and direct access to the Federation’s advocacy efforts.

Features / Highlights

The MHFM's strength lies in its specialized focus and its deep ties to the resident community across Massachusetts.

Resident-Led Organization: The Federation is a resident-driven non-profit, ensuring that its mission and priorities directly reflect the needs and concerns of the people living in manufactured homes.
Direct Line to State Government: MHFM actively collaborates and communicates with crucial state entities like the Manufactured Homes Commission and the Attorney General’s Office, often providing resident input on regulatory updates and enforcement guidelines.
Focus on Affordable Housing: In a state known for its high cost of living, the Federation’s advocacy directly supports the sustainability and security of affordable homeownership for thousands of low-to-moderate-income families and elderly residents.
Expertise in Niche Law: The organization possesses specialized knowledge of the Manufactured Housing Act (M.G.L. c. 140, §§ 32A-32S), which grants unique protections to manufactured home owners regarding eviction, rent increases, and home sales.
Promoting Resident Ownership: The Federation supports movements and initiatives, often in partnership with other non-profits, that encourage residents to collectively purchase and manage their communities, creating Resident-Owned Communities (ROCs).

Contact Information

For Massachusetts residents seeking assistance, information, or looking to become a member of the statewide association, please use the following contact details:

Administrative Address: 79 Central St, Peabody, MA 01960, USA

Main Phone Number: (617) 573-1313

Mobile Phone Contact: +1 617-573-1313

Note: Due to the nature of the organization, visitors are encouraged to call ahead or check the official website to ensure the appropriate representative is available. Correspondence by mail or email (available via their website) is often the most direct way to engage with the organization’s leaders.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

The Manufactured Home Federation of Massachusetts is an absolutely critical organization for local users who own a manufactured home or are considering purchasing one in the Commonwealth. It is suitable for locals because it is the voice and defense of manufactured home residents throughout the state, ensuring that this form of affordable housing remains a viable and secure option.

For Massachusetts residents who are faced with the unique challenges of owning a home while renting the lot it sits on—a common arrangement in over 200 communities statewide—the MHFM provides invaluable support that cannot be obtained from a commercial entity. By offering educational clarity on complex laws and by advocating for the interests of residents at the State House, the Federation protects the financial investment and quality of life for thousands of Massachusetts homeowners. Joining and supporting the MHFM is the best way for local manufactured home residents to secure their future and stay informed about the laws governing their communities.