Twin Acres, Willow Glen residents create Flathead Valley's fifth resident-owned community
Whitefish Pilot | Whitefish Pilot | UPDATED 2 months, 3 weeks AGO
Debbie Profitt and Cheryl Rosean at closing. (Photo provided by NeighborWorks Montana)
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.
“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," said Danielle Bundrock, cooperative housing director of NeighborWorks Montana. "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."
The community includes a wide range of residents and households. Of Twin Willows' residents, 72% are low income, 6% are veterans, and 14% are living with a disability.
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," Profitt said. "Being on the board allows us to make sure things are getting done properly and gather feedback from all the residents moving forward.”
For more information about resident owned communities contact Danielle Bundrock at [email protected].