Resident Owned Communities

ROC USA™ is a social enterprise that offers training, networking, and financing to help owners of manufactured homes gain security through ownership of their communities. We work through two wholly-owned subsidiaries:

In the last 23 months since our launch, ROC USA Network’s Technical Assistance Providers have helped 15 resident corporations buy their communities and preserve 1,084 homes in eight states!  All 15 communities are featured in the “2009 in Review” newsletter.

http://rocusa.org/communities/community-album/default.asp

ROC USA™ Network member organizations – non-profit Certified Technical Assistance Providers – who provide the pre- and post-purchase training and technical assistance that helps homeowners buy and sustain their community; and ROC USA™ Capital that makes community purchase loans that provide a low-cost way for all homeowners within a community to become a member and voter in their member-controlled corporation or cooperative.

As a member of the ROC USA Network, NeighborWorks Montana will deliver pre- and post-purchase technical assistance, training and financing assistance to help homeowners throughout the state of Montana buy their communities and secure their economic futures through resident ownership. One out of every five Montana residents live in manufactured housing, which is roughly 188,927 residents.

For additional information:

Do you own a manufactured home, but rent the land beneath it?

If so, we are committed to helping people like you and your neighbors! In the United States, roughly 35 percent of owners of manufactured homes live in communities or “parks” where they rent the lot their home sits on. For a monthly rental fee, these homeowners receive basic services such as water, sewer and road maintenance from the community owner. Living on rented land denies homeowners almost all of the security and financial benefits available to people who own the land beneath their homes.

In 2003, a study by Consumer Union concluded that, generally, manufactured or “mobile” homes in communities or “parks” tend to depreciate over time. Two of their recommendations of ways homeowners could curb depreciation were to gain control of the land, and to get access to more conventional, fixed-rate home financing. resident-owned communities have demonstrated that resident-ownership improves financial security for homeowners.

Do you own a manufactured home commmunity?
Are you thinking of selling it?

If so, we provide expert and effective assistance in making the transition to resident ownership. For community owners, selling a community marks the conclusion of your service to your customers. If you are like most community owners, you have operated the community for many years knowing that it gave people an affordable place to live. You are justifiably proud of the role you play in helping to provide affordable housing. With a sale to the homeowners, selling the community becomes an opportunity to leave a legacy of opportunity to the customers you’ve served over the years.

At NeighborWorks Montana, we understand the needs of sellers and buyers. We recognize that nothing is accomplished without a willing seller and an empowered and well-prepared buyer. If you are thinking of selling to your community or would like to know more about the process, please contact us toll free at 1-866-587-2244 or (406) 761-5861 or via email at info@nwmt.org.

ROC USA offers 24 years of experience in successfully assisting homeowners to: