Oak Wood

Mobile homes are rarely discussed as policymakers and developers try to address a housing shortage that’s driven up rents and home prices across Bloomington-Normal. There are many reasons why.

Here’s some advice for how Bloomington-Normal mobile home owners can protect themselves, from knowing the law to organizing with other residents.

Oak Wood's move into Bloomington-Normal is part of a nationwide trend toward consolidation in manufactured home park ownership, often led by private equity acquisitions. Oak Wood even got help from Freddie Mac, a government entity that is supposed to help make housing more, not less, affordable.

For decades, mobile homes were one of the most affordable housing options in Bloomington-Normal, especially for those with low or fixed incomes. Oak Wood’s arrival in the market has changed that. Oak Wood has again and again squeezed more money from its residents.