A coalition of non-profits and consumer organizations are encouraging residents of often modest means to seek co-op ownership as a means to increase equity in their property and control rents in Mass. The patriotledger reports of the 250 manufactured home communities in the state, only 25 have become cooperatives, but a coalition of non-profits and consumer organizations are encouraging residents of often modest means to seek co-op ownership as a means to increase equity in their property and control rents. The Ford Foundation backs communities in becoming cooperatives, and Mass. is one of only 18 in the nation that gives MHC residents first right of refusal should their community come up for sale. George McCarthy, a director at Ford, says, “These are people who went from being of lower stature than renters, pilloried in the community and then suddenly managing a multimillion dollar enterprise. It’s not a trivial event in their lives.” At the other end of the spectrum, residents of Westwood Village in Plymouth, Mass., where homes have sold for $270,000, teamed up with an affiliate of ROC USA to acquire the 23 acres on which their homes sit for $3.8 million. MHProNews has learned five states offer MHC owners a tax incentive if they sell to a residents’ cooperative.

(Photo credit: Greg Derr/patriotledger–two residents of Westwood Village stop to chat.)