AUBURN — The City Council passed a mobile home rent stabilization ordinance on Monday, joining at least 25 municipalities across Maine.

The ordinance prevents park owners from increasing lot rents more than once per year, and from any rent increase from being more than the Consumer Price Index-Northeast plus 1%. The CPI, which is produced and updated by the U.S. Department of Labor, is a metric that tracks the change in the prices of goods and services nationwide.

The council voted 6-1 to pass the ordinance, with Councilor Leroy Walker in opposition.

Walker echoed comments by Manufactured Housing Association of Maine Director Julie Smith. Smith warned the ordinance could deter investment in manufactured housing and prevent park owners from generating income. 

“Auburn’s own 2025 housing study found that the city needs at least 1,300 additional homes by 2030, just four years from now,” Smith told the council. “Yet this ordinance could move Auburn in the opposite direction, delaying repairs, discouraging investment and ultimately leaving the city with fewer homes.”

Nobody spoke in favor of the ordinance at public comment on Monday, nor did any councilors explain their “yes” votes. But proponents of such mobile home rent stabilization ordinances have said that it keeps one of Maine’s most affordable home options accessible to people on fixed incomes.

The ordinance also creates a Rent Stabilization Board. Under the ordinance, park owners will be able to petition the board to increase their rent or fees more than the allotted amount if they need to cover operating expenses or capital improvements.