April 20, 2022
Dear Honorable Members of the Colorado State Legislature,
Together Colorado is a nonpartisan, multi-racial and multi-faith statewide organization working to place human dignity at the center of public life in Colorado. We are writing to express our unequivocal support for HB22-1287 (Protection for Mobile Home Park Residents), and SB22-160 (Revolving Loan Fund for Mobile Home Park Residents).
No matter our color, background or zip code, home is where we lay our heads, hug our loved ones, and make our memories. But today, this sacred space, home, is at risk for our neighbors who live in mobile home parks. Imagine owning your home, but the land underneath belongs to a private corporation that can raise lot rent and add fees indiscriminately, without a corresponding increase in amenities or infrastructure upgrades. This is the situation for over 100,000 people who live in over 700 mobile home park communities across Colorado. These residents face steep and unpredictable lot rent increases each year, and when a mobile home park is sold and a new operator takes over, homeowners can face monthly lot rent increases of as much as 80%. Fixed and low-income families – like young people, the elderly, veterans, and immigrants – are eventually forced out, losing their homes, and causing many to face displacement or homelessness.
We call upon our government to prioritize the most vulnerable in our communities. We have seen the deep suffering of those who are struggling to maintain housing. Lack of affordable housing has separated families, caused our neighbors to forgo food and medicine, and exacerbated food insecurity for children and their families. Many of our neighbors and congregants have found mobile homes to be one of the few available affordable options. This is why we urge you to vote YES on HB22-1287 and SB22-160.
All our faith traditions speak to the dignity and sacredness of every life and the importance of shelter. In the Hebrew and Christian bibles, Isaiah declares God’s vision for everyone to be able to build and inhabit a home. In the Islamic faith, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) called believers to honor those who serve the homeless and reminded us of the consequences of ignoring the well-being of a homeless person. The Sikh community feeds and shelters the vulnerable based on the tenet of Seva, or selfless service.
Representing these traditions, we believe that all of Colorado’s residents, regardless of who they worship, what they look like, who they love, or what’s in their wallet, deserve a safe, stable place to call home. Unfortunately, the housing crisis cannot be solved by faith communities alone. We need our government to do what governments do best – promote the common good through the legislative process.
As clergy and faith leaders in your communities, we urge you to prioritize housing security and affordability during this legislative session by voting YES on HB22-1287 and SB22-160. Through your work, we can ensure that all Coloradans have a place to call home.
Thank you for your public service and leadership.
Signed by 138 Colorado Faith Leaders below. (See attached PDF)
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