When the owner of Evergreen Mobile Home Park decided it was time to sell the park, they were enthusiastic to learn that the residents wanted to pursue becoming resident owned. For Shanna Johnson, a resident and Board Operations Manager of Evergreen Community Park Cooperative, learning that the park might go up for sale was met with a mix of emotions, “In the beginning, it was stressful because we just didn’t know how it all was going to work, and there was a lot of misunderstanding about the process. However, once Thistle came out and explained more, I felt that I needed to step up to help my community.” Johnson added, “The process took time, but we stuck it out and now that we are closed, I’m super excited because it’s a big achievement. Not only do we own our homes, but we also own the land, and we have the comfort of knowing that we will be able to live here forever.”
In many manufactured home communities, residents own their homes but rent the land beneath them, which can leave them exposed to rent hikes and the risk of eviction, particularly when the property goes up for sale. Now, as property owners, the residents of Evergreen have gained control over crucial decisions, including community rules, infrastructure improvements, and rent.
Affordable housing across the United States is a key priority, and especially here in Colorado, it is becoming harder and harder to achieve this priority. Colorado legislation passed in 2020 gives residents the opportunity to purchase the land under their homes. When buying a community, it requires a strong commitment, however, the rewards are substantial. Denisse Perez, a resident and Board Secretary, shared that “Becoming a Resident Owned Community has been an incredible achievement for us. It means that we, as residents, now control the future of our community. We are not just tenants—we are owners, and that gives us a powerful sense of pride and responsibility.”
As Shanna Johnson shared, the residents of Evergreen Community Park Cooperative worked closely with Thistle Community Housing, a nonprofit in Boulder, Colorado, which provided guidance through the purchase process and will continue to offer technical assistance throughout the 10-year loan term. Thistle’s Program Director, Tim Townsend, praised the community’s dedication, “Congratulations to the incredible residents of Evergreen Community Park Cooperative! Your determination and hard work have transformed a vision into a lasting legacy. By coming together and securing ownership, you have not only protected your homes but have created a future filled with security and opportunity. Your dedication to each other and to the community is truly inspiring, and I’m honored to witness the remarkable strength and unity that made this achievement possible. Here's to a bright and secure future for Evergreen's resident owners!”
Becoming a ROC takes a full community effort, but that time and energy can really pay off. Evergreen Co-op Treasurer Sandra Najera expressed pride in the achievement, “This closing to me signifies a positive step forward for this community and its residents. A sense of collaboration for us all to come together and giving us the ability to collectively own/manage the land and our homes. In a sense, it provides some peace of mind knowing we are “in charge” of our little neighborhood!”
Evergreen is the fourth community in Colorado to utilize an innovative funding vehicle launched by ROC USA Capital and Thistle in 2022. It brought together seven other organizations to create a below-market-rate pool of community acquisition capital for manufactured homeowners in Colorado.
ROC USA President Emily Thaden said by supporting cooperative ownership, this fund helps preserve long-term housing stability for homeowners, offering an alternative to the rising rents and uncertainty often faced in investor-owned manufactured home communities. "We are so excited to work closely with Thistle to utilize this innovative funding for Evergreen Community Park Cooperative, which empowers 35 households to achieve resident ownership," Thaden said. "This is a proven and sustainable solution to the nation's affordable housing crisis. This fund has helped preserve existing affordable neighborhoods and strengthen communities across the state of Colorado."