Residents of two local manufactured home parks have purchased the land beneath their homes to create the fifth resident owned community (ROC) in the Flathead Valley. Now Twin Willows, Inc., this 55-home community is officially resident-owned, providing greater long-term stability and preserving an important source of naturally occurring affordable housing in the Flathead Valley.
Danielle Bundrock, Cooperative Housing Director of NeighborWorks Montana and resident of Kalispell, leads a statewide team that supports the acquisition of and provides technical assistance to resident owned communities in Montana.
“Twin Willows is a powerful example of what can happen when manufactured homeowners are given the opportunity, tools, and financing to purchase the land beneath their homes. These 55 households are not simply buying property, they are creating long-term stability, preserving affordable homes and building a community they will govern together,” said Bundrock. “NeighborWorks Montana is honored to support the residents as they take this important and become owners.”
The community includes a wide range of residents and households. Based on information gathered during the organizing process, Twin Willows is home to:
- 72% are considered extremely low income, very low income, or low income according to area median income data
- 6% are Veterans
- 14% are living with a disability
- 100% are primary residents and homeowners
The preservation of this housing is essential in supporting the local workforce. In a 2026 survey of nearly 600 Flathead County voters, nearly 80% reported being impacted by the housing shortage and 45% confirmed that the lack of affordable housing has made it difficult to envision a long-term future in the Flathead Valley. Resident owned communities are one solution that helps reduce the risk of displacement or major changes being imposed by future outside ownership.
A variety of partners worked together to support the sale of the two parks, including Twin Willows, Inc. and its resident members and board of directors; NeighborWorks Montana, which has provided organizing, technical assistance and purchase support; ROC USA and ROC USA Capital; Clearwater Credit Union and the Montana Board of Investments, which are providing primary acquisition financing; Whitefish Community Foundation, which awarded a $75,000 Major Community Project Grant in support of the community and raised an additional $18,000 in donations for the purchase; and additional investors supporting the acquisition and property improvements.
Debbie Profitt, president of Twin Willows’ newly elected board of directors, reflected on the significance of resident ownership at the community’s closing earlier this week. “There’s a weight lifted off our shoulders. Being on the board allows us to make sure things are getting done properly and gather feedback from all the residents moving forward.”
