Manufactured homes are wrong for Kennebunk | Letter
Kennebunk Resident Voices Concerns Over Abode’s Manufactured‑Home Proposal
A letter sent to The Kennebunk Standard on August 11, 2026, drew sharp criticism from a longtime Kennebunk resident who argued that a proposed manufactured‑home park by Utah‑based company Abode would not deliver the affordable housing Kennebunk needs.
Who and What
Shawn Magaw, who has lived in the Kennebunk area for decades, wrote that the town’s current housing market is pushing many families out of the community. He called the proposed trailer park “the wrong solution for a legitimate need for affordable housing.” The park, as outlined in Abode’s plans, would feature manufactured homes that arrive on flatbeds and only require connection to utilities, a design that, according to engineers, would not spur local job creation.
Business Model and Long‑Term Implications
Magaw highlighted the park’s ownership structure. Residents would not own the land on which they live; instead, the lots would be rented from Abode’s parent company, Baas, which is headquartered in Utah. “The land fees may be frozen for the first five years, but Abode can—and likely will—raise rent significantly afterward on captive residents,” he warned. He added that manufactured homes are depreciating assets, meaning buyers would face “potential long‑term financial traps” and would not build equity as they would with traditional stick‑built homes.
Local Economic Impact
The letter underscored that the park’s construction would not bring meaningful employment to the area. “Unlike traditional stick‑built homes, there is not much local job creation from this project,” Magaw wrote, citing the engineers’ assessment from the October 26 community meeting.
Community Response and Outlook
While Abode’s proposal has yet to be approved by the Kennebunk Planning Board, the letter reflects growing unease among residents. “We must reject this ill‑conceived plan from an out‑of‑state investment group and focus on true, sustainable housing solutions for our community,” Magaw concluded.
The debate over affordable housing continues in Kennebunk, as city officials weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of the manufactured‑home project and explore alternative strategies to keep the town’s residents, particularly its children, from being priced out.
