Key facts
- Shady Lane Estates mobile home park in Coachella Valley has been renovated.
- The park received $10.6 million in funding from California's Manufactured Housing Opportunity and Revitalization (MORE) program.
- The MORE program was revamped in 2023 to simplify its application process and expand its scope.
- The program now funds repairs and replacements of park infrastructure and mobile homes themselves.
- California has 4,635 mobile home parks providing space for nearly half a million units.
California has revitalized Shady Lane Estates, an aging mobile home park in Coachella Valley, through its revamped Manufactured Housing Opportunity and Revitalization (MORE) program. The park, which previously suffered from flooding, sewage backups, and electrical failures, has been upgraded with a new electrical system, connected to water and sewer utilities, paved roads, and new, durable mobile homes replacing the old units. This transformation is part of a broader state effort to address California's critical housing affordability crisis by supporting low-income residents who rely on mobile home parks for cheaper housing options.
The MORE program, previously a little-used state loan initiative, was significantly overhauled in 2023. The changes simplified the application process, expanded eligibility to include repairs and rehabilitation of infrastructure and units, and offered more generous loan terms, potentially leading to forgiveness. This overhaul was driven by the need to address the deteriorating conditions in many of California's mobile home parks, which provide housing for nearly half a million people.
Shady Lane Estates received $10.6 million in funding, becoming the first rehabilitation project completed under the new program. While this project represents a success, housing advocates note that the need is vast, and current funding likely covers only a fraction of the demand. Some projects still face permitting delays or funding shortfalls, highlighting the ongoing challenges in maintaining and rehabilitating these vital sources of affordable housing.