Preview:
In the quiet corners of Berkshire County, a storm is brewing over the proposed rent hikes for manufactured home communities in Pittsfield and West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. At the heart of this controversy are the residents of Lake Onota Village in Pittsfield and the Residences on Mill Pond in West Stockbridge, who are facing potential rent increases of up to 64 percent and 230 percent, respectively. These proposals shine a light on the broader issues of affordability, regulation, and the sustainability of living in manufactured homes.
The Case for an IncreaseRepresented by attorney Jeffrey T. Scrimo, the owners of Lake Onota Village...
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Represented by attorney Jeffrey T. Scrimo, the owners of Lake Onota Village have laid out a plan to hike monthly lot rents by $210 over the next three years. This adjustment would catapult rents from their current range of $330-$380 to $540-$590, marking a significant financial strain on the community's residents. The justification behind this steep increase is attributed to a significant rise in operational expenses since the last rate adjustment in 2012, with the owners aiming to achieve a 'fair rate of return'. The proposed hikes are not just numbers on a page; they represent a looming affordability crisis for the residents of these communities. Manufactured homes, often praised for their affordability and accessibility, are becoming less so as rental costs for the land they occupy skyrockets. Common Sense Translation: The rents have not been increased in twelve years. Going from $330 per month to $590 per month over twelve years equates to around a $22 increase annually. That’s ridiculously low. Stop whining about this more-than-reasonable increase and be thankful that you have found the lowest cost housing in the city.