12 private equity firms own at least 1,200 parks nationwide. 22 million Americans live in mobile home and trailer parks and are often the last line before homelessness. Residents own their homes and pay rent on the lot; they are captives because it costs too much to leave. 
Some tenants band together to get financing to buy their park. A few states are considering legislation to limit rent increases and other measures that can hurt the landlords trying to sell the parks. A critic noted that if legislators are concerned about losing affordable housing, they could work with state housing authorities to provide funding for park owners looking to expand. 

Randall Smith is the founder of Alden Global Capital; Homes of America is an affiliate company that, since 2021, has spent $300 million to acquire a 138 parks across 17 states. maintenance can be deferred because the tenants have nowhere else to go.

In Michigan, a bill requiring park owners to justify rent increases above rate of inflation and limit fees landlords can charge was not passed, despite its popularity, after the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association pulled its support and it died in the Michigan State Senate. At the same time, Robbie Pratt and Anthony Antonelli, members of the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association political action committee, received large donations totalling $358,889. 

Maine lawmakers consider bill to stop mobile home park sales for 3 months

State lawmakers are considering a three-month moratorium on the sale of mobile home parks, a move that could disrupt at least two pending sales in Maine.

Supporters say a pause on mobile home sales would allow lawmakers to evaluate a handful of mobile home-related bills, while also giving the residents of Friendly Village in Gorham a fair shot at purchasing their park.