NH mobile home parks tackle septic, drinking water crises with federal dollars

Better Together Grant Applications Available Now! Application Window Opens March 17! Click Here to Learn More!

By Mike Bullard May 9, 2023

When the North Country Village Cooperative asked the state last year for help with failing drinking water and wastewater systems, the manufactured home community was placed at No. 5 on a priority list.

Fifty-seven homes occupy the former 1960s three-season campground, just a few miles from the beautiful expanse of Lake Winnipesaukee in the small town of Tuftonboro. The leach field systems were defective and breaking down. Some needed to be pumped every six months or less. Septic tanks were undersized.

Drinking water was another issue altogether. The water system was just barely meeting daily demand, according to project documents, and one of the wells developed “persistent bacteria contamination” last year. Taking the well out of service only exacerbated the capacity issues.

ROC Association announces 2025 Better Together Grants

The ROC Association is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for 2025 Better Together Grants from March 17 through May 4.

Manufactured home owners are reimagining stable housing as local communities face untenable rent increases

“In commercial banking, they talk a lot about ‘We want to help with affordable housing, so let’s build apartment complexes,'” says Tina McKinstry, a member of Takesa Village, a resident-owned mobile home park in Mead. “You’re making a landlord rich. You’re not making the people rich. With [co-ops], you’re making the people rich.”

Autumn Tigart joins ROC USA as senior advisor for governance and business

Autumn brings extensive experience supporting Resident Owned Communities, having previously served as a ROC program specialist with NeighborWorks Montana.

CDI helps Cedar Falls become Maine’s 12th ROC

With the help of Cooperative Development Institute and public and private funding, homeowners at Cedar Falls Resident Cooperative purchase their community for $8 million.

Asha Rao joins ROC USA Capital as deputy director

The former LISC leader will focus on loan origination and management, loan product development, and supporting the management and culture creation for the ROC USA Capital team.

Meadowood Village residents purchase their mobile home park in Littleton, locking in affordable housing for decades to come

“It is great to see a community gain control of its future like Meadowood has,” Littleton City Manager Jim Becklenberg said. “I am very pleased that the city was able to help the residents persevere through the process in a very modest way that resulted in more protected and affordable housing for the community.”

Colorado Homeowners Purchase Manufactured Home Community for Over $18 Million

“I am thrilled to see the collaboration between public and private funders who recognize the importance of preserving the affordability of these 92 homes in a growing suburb of Denver.” said ROC USA CEO Emily Thaden. “The hard work of the homeowners at Meadowood Cooperative, working alongside Thistle, has paid off for current homeowners and future generations.”

CDI receives $50K to build new resident owned manufactured home community

A private donor gave the Cooperative Development Institute, or CDI, $50,000 to jump-start the project, which is expected to cost millions of dollars and take years to complete.

Turning vacancies into victory

Royal Crest Residents Association has built a thriving real estate initiative, generating $130,000 in commissions and filling 12 vacant sites. This grassroots effort boosts affordability and keeps site fees down.

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