A study of selected mobile home parks in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana to determine the relationships among selected park characteristics, rental and vacancy rates, and residential satisfaction

Abstract

The mobile home represents in exess of 7% of the U. S. domestic housing stock. This contrasts with less than one-half of 1% in 1940. There are now in excess of 24,000 mobile home parks in the United States. Mobile home parks are now home for over 3.5 million Americans. The purpose of this study was to determine if significant correlations exist among selected park characteristics and vacancy and rental rates and residential satisfaction. The methodology included both analysis of Variance and Covariance. The 29 mobile home parks were selected using a nonprobability technique to facilitate differentiations both within and among selected geographic areas. The 183 mobile home park residents interviewed were selected using a chance mechanism. The General Null Hypotheses were: (1) Park characteristic differences have no effect on vacancy rates. (2) Park characteristic differences have no effect on rental rates. (3) Park characteristic differences have no effect on residential satisfaction. The findings and conclusions of the research are summarized as follows: (1) Lot sizes are not significantly different among the vacancy rate classifications. (2) Location is a factor in vacancy rate determination. (3) Amenity packages have no effect on vacancy rates. (4) Age is not a significant factor in determining vacancy rates. (5) Rental rates are somewhat a determining factor in vacancy rates. (6) Higher rental rates prevail where lot sizes are larger. (7) Rental rates are not significantly different among the zones in the study area. (8) Higher rental rates result in greater numbers of amenities within the mobile home park. (9) Age is not a factor in the rental rate structure among the mobile home parks. (10) Lot size does not significantly influence overall resident satisfaction as measured by a satisfaction index. (11) Location was not a significant factor in determining the satisfaction index. (12) There is a slight correlation between the amenity index and the satisfaction index. (13) The age of the mobile home park has no influence on the satisfaction index.