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Not Mobile

Not Mobile

Written by: Cait Kelley | KYMN News
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About this listen

Not Mobile is a podcast about people in my hometown (Northfield, Minnesota) and across the state who are fighting to protect their communities and one of the most important forms of affordable housing: manufactured home parks. Nationally, corporations and private equity firms have bought up manufactured home parks and are squeezing money out of the residents: residents who are often low income, immigrants, working families, or people on fixed income (disability and Social Security). In April 2022, Lakeshore Management Inc, a company that consistently increases rent while cutting amenities, bought the manufactured home park Viking Terrace in Northfield, Minnesota. This series highlights the residents, lawyers, community leaders, and local and state officials who are fighting back against Lakeshore and fighting for the right of everyone to have a safe, affordable community to call home.KYMN Radio Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Ep 3: Park Ownership Matters
    Jul 11 2023

    In this third and final episode of "Not Mobile," you'll meet residents of other Lakeshore parks who have faced tremendous personal and financial challenges because of Lakeshore's management. Despite this, many residents have fought to stand up for their right to a safe and affordable home and have tried to form resident associations in Lakeshore parks in Minnesota and other states. We'll also check in with Viking Terrace to see what has a happened in the year since Lakeshore bought the park. Finally, you'll meet manufactured home park residents who have bought their parks and run them as cooperatives, avoiding the challenges of dealing with corporate park owners altogether.

    Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with me and share their perspective and their story.

    Music courtesy of APM Music.

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Ep 2: Good Neighbors
    Dec 10 2022

    The residents of Viking Terrace haven't resisted Lakeshore alone. Meet the city and state officials, nonprofit leaders, and Northfield community members who stepped up to support the residents and learn what happened when Lakeshore executives came to Viking Terrace.

    Episode music courtesy of APM Music.

    Podcast artwork by Lisa Peterson.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Ep. 1: Don't Sign Anything
    Oct 25 2022

    In this first episode learn about Viking Terrace, a manufactured home park in Northfield, Minnesota, that was bought by Lakeshore Management in April 2022. Lakeshore immediately raised lot rents $65, from $420 to $485 (15%), and tried to get residents to sign a new lease that likely violated Minnesota law. The lease included 35 pages of strict rules like: children can't play in yards of other homes, residents must maintain trees in the park, residents cannot "loiter" outside their homes after 10pm, and more.

    Meet the residents of Viking Terrace and community organizers who reacted quickly to Lakeshore and formed a Resident Association to fight back.


    Featured music was licensed through APM Music.

    Podcast artwork by Lisa Peterson.

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    44 mins
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