This story was supported by the Economic Hardship Reporting Project.
As housing costs continue to rise, mobile home owners are coming together to combat this trend and fight against climate change. Their solution involves collectively purchasing the land under their homes, a model known as resident-owned cooperatives or ROCs, which has been gaining popularity. According to a 2022 study, the number of mobile homes associated with resident-owned cooperatives increased from just over 200 in 2000 to more than 15,000 in 2019.
With ownership of the land, residents have the ability to expedite infrastructure upgrades, particularly in the realm of renewable energy. Solar power, in particular, aligns well with these communities, as stated by Kevin Jones, director at the Institute for Energy and the Environment at the Vermont Law and Graduate School. He noted that resident-owned communities are ideal for making solar benefits accessible to lower- and moderate-income individuals.
Mobile home parks, which house over 22 million Americans, play a crucial role in providing affordable housing amid a national housing crisis. However, private landlords sometimes delay essential upgrades while continuing to collect lot rents, creating a situation where homeowners are burdened with ongoing fees despite having invested significant amounts in their homes.
This issue has been exacerbated by private equity’s involvement in mobile home park ownership, leading to higher rent and utility costs without corresponding improvements. Nonprofit organizations like ROCUSA have stepped in to support these communities, providing resources such as low-interest loans, grants, and guidance on creating a co-op structure.
Furthermore, ROCUSA connects residents of these cooperatives, allowing for the sharing of knowledge and resources to address common challenges, such as the lengthy process of acquiring permits for solar installations. The impact of these efforts can be seen in communities like Lakeville Village in Geneseo, New York, where a solar array benefits not only the residents but also local businesses and other sites.
While the majority of these cooperatives are concentrated in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest, specific state resources and policies play a role in enabling access to renewable energy solutions. In New Hampshire, for instance, organizations like ROC-NH facilitate connections with state resources and prioritize the financial stability of co-op members.
The ultimate goal of initiatives like community solar is not only to reduce carbon footprint but also to alleviate financial burdens for communities where members may be working multiple jobs. Additionally, these efforts can have broader social and environmental impacts, as seen in cases where cooperatives have effectively addressed issues such as chronic flooding.
In summary, the collective ownership model of resident-owned cooperatives presents a promising avenue for mobile home communities to address rising housing costs and contribute to the fight against climate change.
This post has been updated to clarify the number of mobile home units attached to resident-owned cooperatives.
