Betty Jean (Jeanee) Wright

Chairman and Members of the Committee, My name is Jeanee Wright, and I am a New Hampshire homeowner living in Exeter. I am writing in strong support of HB 1357. My husband and I own a single-wide manufactured home built in 1983. We purchased our home in 2007, and today it is assessed at nearly three times what we paid. I share this not as an anomaly, but as real-world evidence that manufactured housing is a stable, appreciating form of homeownership that deserves the same respect and treatment as other single-family housing. I urge the Committee to consider three key points as you evaluate this legislation. First, manufactured housing is one of the most accessible paths to homeownership for working individuals and families in today’s housing market. With rising interest rates, construction costs, and limited housing supply, manufactured homes often represent the only realistic opportunity for first-time buyers and working households to own a home. Homeownership is a proven wealth-building tool—one that renters simply do not have access to. Manufactured homes do appreciate alongside the broader housing market, a fact reflected clearly in local tax assessments across New Hampshire. This is not speculative; it is measurable and documented. Second, persistent misunderstanding and stigma surrounding manufactured housing continue to harm housing solutions in our state. Outdated perceptions about quality, safety, and value no longer reflect reality. Modern manufactured housing is built to rigorous federal standards, offers long-term durability, and provides secure, stable housing for tens of thousands of New Hampshire residents. Continuing to treat manufactured housing as “less than” other forms of single-family housing only worsens our housing shortage and limits sensible, affordable development options. Third, manufactured housing plays a critical role in long-term housing stability and retirement planning. My husband and I are entering the retirement planning phase of our lives, and our manufactured home is our forever home. This allows us to invest in the home we already own, remain in a community where we are comfortable and supported, and plan for aging in place. Just as importantly, this reduces the likelihood that we will need subsidized senior housing in the future. Policies that support manufactured housing help working people remain independent, financially stable, and housed with dignity as they age. Ensuring that manufactured housing is treated equitably alongside other single-family housing is the right step for New Hampshire. It supports the working class, strengthens local communities, and advances realistic solutions to our housing crisis. Thank you for your time and consideration. I respectfully urge the Committee to support HB 1357. Sincerely, Jeanee Wright Exeter, New Hampshire