DEMHRA Report for DMHOA June 10th Meeting

Information from May 22, 2025 meeting and April 17, 2025 minutes

Chair's Report

The chair was concerned that DEMHRA is not being informed of any Legislative changes that affect their procedures. This includes new Title 25 Chapter 70 laws, or updates to existing ones. DEMHRA is also concerned that we do not have an opportunity to review or provide input to any proposed laws or changes. The State of Delaware provides the Delaware Notification Service, which allows the public to subscribe to information updates provided by State agencies through e-mail.

Executive Director's Report:  

Our Executive Director attended the Senate Housing and Land Use Committee meeting for SB144. This Bill will eliminate a defined amount for the cap of the Trust Fund in Chapter 70, as DEMHRA’s Board already has the authority to set the cap as needed. This Bill would eliminate discrepancies between Chapter 70 and what the Board decides. It passed the Senate committee and will now go to the full Senate for consideration.

Legal Counsel Report:  

Counsel was not present but sent in a report.

These parks were referred for legal action at the April’s meeting:

• Appleby, Cloverleaf, and Mobile Home Village: all paid and is resolved.
• Ackerg and Oakway: suit filed and waiting on updates.

Arbitration: (Update on Status of Open Dockets as of 5/13/25):

Docket 02-2021 (Ridgewood Manor vs. Ridgewood Manor LLC): As of 5/13/25. Both attorneys have indicated that a settlement is likely and to stand down until future notice. Mr. Sharp is hopeful that this issue will resolve itself prior to his further involvement.

Rent Increase Certification Requests:

There were 40 rent certifications sent out in April. See § 7051A. Rent increase; health or safety violations in Title 25 for additional information.

Update on Parks for Sale:

Holly Oak Park – Updated 5/14/25. Park is still under contract.

Update on Parks Going Through Change in Use as of 5/22/25:

• Timberlane - There are 16 applications remaining.
• Lazy Pine Retreat - There are 3 remaining.
• Lakeland - There are 0 remaining.
• Lake Forest – There are 16 remaining.

At our last meeting, the following applications for funds were approved.

• Lake Forest Estates: one relocatable SW and one non-relocatable SW for a total of $24,300.
• Lakeland: four non-relocatable SW and one non-relocatable DW for a total of  $64,000. Total funds dispersed was $88,300.

Financial Matters: (amounts are rounded to nearest dollar)

• The Trust Fund assessments collected during April totaled $136,183.00, plus interest of $69,401.00. A Trust Fund payment of $50,900.00 was paid out in April for relocation assistance. The Trust Fund as of  April 30th is $14,722025.00.
• The 2025 Legal Fund Year-to-Date is $55,756.00.
• The April CPI/U was 3.481%, effective May 19th. This would equate to an increase of 5.24% for one-year leases beginning in Sept and October. The next CPI/U will be out around July 14th.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 1:30.  

Our address is 1979 S. State Street in Dover and is opened to the public.

Please visit our website for additional information at demhra.delaware.gov.