Land-lease communities help make homeownership more attainable by separating the cost of the home from the cost of land. Residents own their manufactured home and lease the homesite in a professionally managed community.
For millions of Americans, this model delivers the features people value most: a home of their own, no shared walls, outdoor space, neighborhood connection and a lower overall cost of living than many other housing options in the region.
Residents purchase and own their manufactured home, giving them many of the benefits of ownership without having to buy the underlying land.
The resident leases the homesite, helping lower the upfront cost of homeownership and supporting a professionally maintained community.
Residents live in a neighborhood setting with outdoor space, privacy, management, amenities and shared standards.
Across the country, manufactured home communities provide millions of homesites and serve millions of residents. The land-lease model is not a niche concept. It is a proven housing option already helping American households access homeownership.
The resident experience reflects the core strengths of the land-lease model: affordability, stability, satisfaction and long-term demand.
Residents that say their overall cost of living is lower or about the same as other options in the region
Residents that are satisfied with their manufactured-home community
Average length of residency among exist manufactured-home community members
Of prospective manufactured home buyers are considering a land-lease community
Source note: Statistics are from MHI land-lease resident research, May 2026.
In many markets, the price of land is one of the biggest barriers to homeownership. Land-lease communities address that challenge directly by allowing residents to buy the home without also having to purchase the land beneath it.
Land-lease communities are not a short-term housing experiment. Residents report long average stays, durable expectations and stable home values.
Report their home value increased or stayed about the same
Purchased their home expecting it to remain in the community long-term
Cost matters, but land-lease residents also value the lifestyle benefits communities can provide.
Swimming pools, parks, playgrounds, landscaping, lakes and water features are among the amenities residents value most.
Fitness centers, recreational facilities, clubhouses and social activities help support connected neighborhoods.
Pet facilities and services, professional management and well-maintained common areas make communities more attractive.
Land-lease communities are a practical, resident-supported form of attainable homeownership. Public policy should recognize the role they play in expanding housing options, supporting neighborhood stability and helping more Americans own a home.