Chelsea Powrie

The provincial government is looking to protect owners of manufactured homes whose sites are slated to be redeveloped, as announced by B.C. Premier John Horgan in Penticton on Tuesday.

The province said proposed amendments to the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act will be introduced later this month, which they said will help residents when manufactured home parks are closed or converted.

"For too long, manufactured home owners have faced uncertainty due to rising land values and redevelopment, and they have not had adequate protections when evicted," Horgan said.

"No one should have to face financial ruin or potential homelessness when facing eviction from a manufactured home park."

The proposed changes include upping compensation that landlords pay tenants when an eviction notice has been given to redevelop manufactured home parks — as well as upping compensation to tenants if a landlord gives such a notice but doesn't move forward with the redevelopment.

Other proposed changes include providing extra funding if a tenant can't relocate their manufactured home, as well as clarifying that tenants aren't responsible to cover disposal costs if they can't relocate. New legislature would also ensure the date on a 12-month eviction notice is the same for all tenancy agreements.

The province said in a news release current compensation to tenants is "too low" to cover moving costs, loss of equity and loss of affordability when they are evicted and can't relocate their home.

Hugh Chown, president of Penticton and District Manufactured Home Owners Association, said the proposed changes are long overdue.

"What many people don't realize, is that when a park is closed, the tenant doesn't just lose a place to live, they also lose the equity in the home. It can cost $15,000 to relocate a home, and that's assuming you can find a place to move it to," Chown said.

Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said the city appreciates the proposed changes by the province.

"When government can implement measures to protect those who are struggling with housing security and housing affordability, all members of our community benefit."