Reality, for a few residents in Arcata’s six mobile home parks, is roofs that fail to keep the water out, floors that fail to keep the feet dry, and plumbing that fails to make water go anywhere. Some mobile homes lack infrastructure that would make them accessible to people with mobility issues, or to the elderly.

A new state-funded grant could go a long way towards repairing some of those homes. 

The Manufactured Housing Opportunity & Revitalization (MORE) program, funded by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, will grant money to mobile home owners whose homes need repairs. This is the program’s first year, and Arcata received a $3 million award.

To be eligible, people must live in one of the six licensed mobile home parks in Arcata and make less than 80% of the Humboldt County median income.

Applicants whose homes have been cited for HCD code violations are at the top of the list for getting that grant money, followed by applicants whose mobile homes are not up to code but have not been cited yet, and then those with accessibility issues. 

Arcata wants people in that second category to ask a contractor to check the damage out and estimate how much it would cost to repair. Arcata is also taking bids from contractors to do the repairs. The program will run until funds run out. 

Some of the most common problems with Arcata’s mobile homes are leaky roofs; water-damaged, spongy floors; and plumbing problems. At the Lazy J Ranch, an age-restricted mobile home park for people 55 and older, some homes need ramps or grab bars.

“So we just got a lot of calls, and they’re like, ‘Hey, it’s raining and my roof is leaking, and now I have mold problems,’ or ‘I’m having all kinds of plumbing issues or electric issues,’” Jennifer Dart, Arcata’s Community Development Deputy Director, told the Outpost.

“I think being able to put people in safe and affordable living conditions is going to be huge for the people that can participate in the program. And we want to be able to assist as many people as possible…We’re really excited about the program, and hope to help as many people here in Arcata as possible.”

Instructions on how to apply can be found at this link.