A recent article in the New York Times highlights the need for resident ownership and features the crucial work of NCBA CLUSA member ROC USA. Focused on Colorado mobile home communities, there is a problematic pattern of corporate behavior that residents notice and industry leaders freely admit. First a corporate landowner buys the property at a higher price than residents can afford. Next the new owners raise rents to unaffordable levels and burden residents with expensive new requirements. The owners can then sell the property again at profit. The cycle will often repeat, at residentsā continued expense. If they cannot afford these changes that put profit above their wellbeing, they lose their homes.
Thanks to residentsā and alliesā advocacy, Governor Jared Polis signed 2020 legislation that gives residents notice of sales and the āopportunity to purchaseā their communities. However, problems continue. New legislation is under consideration in the Colorado legislature that may bolster residentsā chances of buying their properties and of preserving affordability.
Given the housing affordability crisis nationwide, we should remember ROC USA President Paul Bradleyās words from the article. Communities like these provide āan affordable homeā that enables residents to āgenerate some wealthā when otherwise they may not have access to such opportunities. We encourage you to read this article and to support efforts like those of ROC USA that help people cooperatively maintain their homes and build a better economic future for themselves.
