Advocates Rally for Stronger Protections in New Mexico’s Manufactured Home Communities

Alamogordo/Silver City, NM – December 31, 2025

Across New Mexico, residents of manufactured home communities are facing escalating challenges as out-of-state investors acquire parks, leading to sharp rent increases, reduced services, and maintenance neglect. Advocates, led by figures like Joanne DeMichele, president of the Land of Enchantment Manufactured Home Owners Alliance (LEMHOA), are dedicating countless hours to educate citizens and push legislators for reforms to protect these vital affordable housing options.

New Mexico has one of the highest proportions of manufactured homes in the nation, providing essential housing for seniors, working families, and those on fixed incomes. However, the influx of corporate buyers—often private equity firms and out-of-state owners—has turned many communities into profit centers. “Rents go up and services go down,” DeMichele has noted, a pattern she began fighting after her own Silver City community was sold abruptly in 2021.

A stark example unfolded in Alamogordo, where residents led by local advocate Gary Perry facilitated dialogue around Desert Palms and Amber Skies—both owned by a California investors. The residents endured months without natural gas for heating and cooking, frequent water main breaks, sewage issues, and security concerns starting in 2024. With assistance from local leaders, including Mayor Susan Payne, residents escalated complaints to the New Mexico Attorney General’s office. The AG intervened, resulting in settlement agreements that compelled the owner to upgrade infrastructure. By late 2024 and into 2025, repairs were completed, restoring utilities and improving conditions.

Despite such interventions, advocates argue that statewide protections remain inadequate. LEMHOA, formed in 2025 as a grassroots nonprofit, has highlighted how other states and municipalities are enacting measures like rent stabilization, rights of first refusal for residents when parks are sold, and stronger enforcement against predatory practices. In New Mexico, however, similar bills have repeatedly stalled. During the 2025 legislative session, proposals such as House Bill 426—the Opportunity to Purchase Act, which would give residents priority to buy their community if it goes on the market—failed to advance fully. Critics pointed to opposition from some lawmakers, including Otero County Representative John Block, who voted against measures aimed at additional resident protections.

LEMHOA’s recent newsletter underscores these disparities, urging broader action while praising successes in places like Alamogordo. DeMichele and allies continue organizing through education campaigns, community engagement, and calls for legislative overhaul.

Residents and supporters are encouraged to join LEMHOA’s efforts. “Spread the word,” the group leadership local and statewide implores, emphasizing that manufactured home communities are not just housing—they represent stability, community, and dignity for thousands of New Mexicans.

For more information on LEMHOA or to get involved, contact the organization through their announced channels or local advocates. As the new year begins, the fight for equitable treatment in these communities shows no signs of slowing.

https://manufacturedhomeownersalliance.org/

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