In “Forgotten homes,” Wisconsin Watch and WPR investigate opportunities and risks associated with manufactured homes, sometimes called mobile homes, as an affordable path to home ownership in Wisconsin. As state government fails to enforce basic protections for residents of manufactured housing communities, some see pathways for safe, affordable manufactured home ownership as a solution during an affordability crisis.
Wisconsin’s forgotten homes: Takeaways from investigating manufactured housing
Addie Costello spent months visiting manufactured homes — a vital yet overlooked source of affordable housing. Here’s what she learned.
‘They are squeezing everybody in this park to death’: Owners of manufactured homes get little protection as private equity moves in
Wisconsin regulators rarely inspect parks and allow many to go unlicensed — all while frustrations simmer with unresponsive landlords.
Residents consider a cooperative future as manufactured housing parks go up for sale
Worried about private equity ownership, residents explore purchasing parks and running them as cooperatives. Wisconsin doesn’t make it easy.
Have an issue with a manufactured housing park? Here’s what to know
A guide for navigating disputes when manufactured housing conditions deteriorate.
‘Finally ours’: Factory-built homes help families realize ownership dreams. But stigma and barriers persist.
A more efficient, affordable development model helps Habitat for Humanity build more homes during a housing crisis. But some Wisconsin municipalities exclude manufactured homes from neighborhoods.
‘Living as usual’: A new village in Sheboygan County reimagines life with dementia
Similar to European models, a nonprofit-led development — the first in the U.S. — will replace locked memory care with homeownership, choice and community.
Share your views on manufactured housing
We’d love to hear from you. If you have feedback on this series or a perspective to share, email reporter Addie Costello at acostello@wisconsinwatch.org.
Project credits
Lead reporter: Addie Costello, WPR/Wisconsin
Lead photojournalist: Joe Timmerman, Wisconsin Watch
Video reporter: Trisha Young, Wisconsin Watch
Lead editors: Jim Malewitz, Wisconsin Watch; Kyla Calvert Mason, WPR
Digital editor and producer: Jeff Bauer