Committee hears overview of mobile-home lot-rent review as nomination moves to full council

The General Government Committee heard an overview of how Springfield’s Mobile Home Rent Control Board evaluates lot-rent increases as it considered a mayoral nomination to that board.

Jeffrey McCaffrey, Springfield’s director of housing, told the committee the body reviews owner requests to raise lot rents by comparing a park’s operating expenses to rent revenue under a statutory formula. "They own their units and they rent the lot," McCaffrey said, explaining the board regulates lot rent rather than sales or owner-to-tenant home rentals.

McCaffrey said the city has three mobile-home parks and that, at a recent meeting, one owner sought an increase "about $50 or $60" per lot. He added the owner defended the request by citing rising costs and that rents had not been increased since 2018. "They're saying that their costs have increased," McCaffrey said.

He described the board as an infrequently convened, niche panel that meets when park owners file for increases. The board currently has three active members; McCaffrey said state law allows five or seven members but that the city has struggled to recruit volunteers for the role.

The committee announced it will forward the mayor’s nomination of Geraldine McCarthy to the Mobile Home Rent Control Board to the full City Council for consideration at its Monday meeting. The record did not include a statement from McCarthy during this committee session.