What are eligible organizations and the registration steps?
Manufactured/mobile home communities provide affordable home ownership for households with middle to low incomes and create housing stability and long-term wealth building opportunity. In an effort to encourage and assist the preservation of existing communities, the Washington State Legislature passed SB 5198 during the 2023 session.
Among many important changes effective July 23, 2023, the bill gives residents (tenants) in manufactured/mobile home communities (MHCs) the opportunity to purchase their community or the property on which the community sits. The bill also provides the same opportunity for eligible organizations to receive Notices of Opportunity to Compete to Purchase these communities and the properties on which they sit. An “eligible organization” is defined as:
- Community land trust
- Resident nonprofit cooperative
- Local government
- Local housing authority
- Nonprofit community or neighborhood-based organization
- Federally recognized Indian tribe in the State of Washington
- Regional or statewide nonprofit housing assistance organization
Any eligible organization interested in receiving Notices of Opportunity to Compete to Purchase may submit an application to join the Eligible Organization Registry.
- Apply to join the Registry
- Download a Registry application (PDF) to send to Commerce via email or USPS
- Request an application be sent to you by contacting the program at 800-964-0852 or OMH@Commerce.wa.gov
- Para acceder a una solicitud de organización elegible, haga clic aquí
- Current registry of Eligible Organizations
All Registry submissions are subject to public disclosure pursuant to RCW 42.56. To request a copy of the Registry, please contact the program at 800-964-0852 or OMH@Commerce.wa.gov.
The Washington State Legislature tasked the Department of Commerce to make recommendations, assess perspectives, and facilitate discussions about aspects of the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.20). This work began in August 2019, with a final report submitted to the Legislature in December 2020.
Manufactured/Mobile home community preservation for local governments
Commerce has prepared the following guidance to help local governments consider preserving manufactured/mobile home communities as a naturally occurring source of affordable housing.
Manufactured/Mobile Home Community Preservation for Local Governments”