News release from the Iowa Manufactured Home Residents’ Network
Residents of Johnson County manufactured home parks purchased by Havenpark Capital Partners (Havenpark Communities) and other out-of-state owners will gather Wednesday to respond to newly announced additional lot rent increases they say are predatory and unjustified. Residents are joining forces with community supporters to call on park owners to rescind proposed lot rent increases and to restore park safety, basic maintenance, and eliminated park services.
WHAT: STOP THE PREDATORY LOT RENT INCREASES: Press conference with Johnson County residents of manufactured home parks
WHEN: 2:30pm, Wednesday, October 1st
WHERE: 4 Expo Drive (Modern Manor, off S. Scott Boulevard), Iowa City
WHO: Residents of Johnson County manufactured home parks along with Johnson County Residents United, Iowa Manufactured Home Residents’ Network, Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition, community supporters, and elected officials
Throughout 2025, residents and community supporters have called on Havenpark to adopt an emergency two-year moratorium on lot rent increases while catching up on neglected park maintenance and guaranteeing access to clean water in all parks. Despite growing community support for these demands, Havenpark recently began announcing additional lot rent increases to take effect in December in some parks. Residents at the press conference will share updates on recent correspondence with Havenpark and describe impacts of new hardships owners are creating with the removal of on-site rent payment dropboxes, failures to shore up eroding/unstable lot spaces under some homes, and failures to reliably staff park offices with on-site managers.
Most manufactured home residents own their homes (and bear responsibility for all home maintenance, utilities, and repairs) and pay lot rent to park owners for the space their homes occupy in the park. Park owners are in turn legally responsible for maintaining lot spaces and all common areas (roads, playgrounds, parking lots, etc.) in clean and safe condition and providing outlets for electric, water, and sewer services.
This event is hosted by Johnson County Residents United (JCRU). JCRU is a resident-led group of neighbors from Johnson County, Iowa manufactured home communities working in solidarity to ensure fair and respectful treatment from park owners and management. JCRU believes in the power of collective action to create positive, lasting change because everyone has a right to live with dignity in an affordable, safe, and healthy place. We are affiliated with the Iowa Manufactured Home Residents Network and supported by the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition.