The Lakes Region Manufactured Housing Cooperative Story...
Lakes Region Mobile Home Park opened in the early 1970s and has grown up over the years into a 111-site, resident-owned manufactured home community. But that transition didn't happen overnight. We began the move toward controlling our own destiny in 1999. That's when, with the help of ROC-NH we formed Lakes Region Manufactured Housing Cooperative that would, on June 19, 2000, purchase and take control of our community.
Now, the Lakes Region Manufactured Housing Cooperative is not only a successful business, but also a thriving neighborhood. The process of the cooperative buying the land beneath our homes brought this community closer together. Not only do we know far more of our neighbors than ever before, but we look out for one another, too. And with no outside landlord to report to, we're the envy of other nearby manufactured home communities.
Our community's infrastructure is maintained by the reliable corporation "Lakes Region Manufactured Housing Cooperative"...that's us. This means when a new well is needed, we make sure it happens, if a septic system needs repair, we are on it. When we purchased our community we decided as a group how we wanted to change our neighborhood. One of our first improvements was to repave our roads, but we didn't stop there. We then worked on the water system replacing pipes and other aspects of the water system to make sure it runs efficiently and effectively. We now have a state-of-the-art community well-water system. We've also added a new community sign, planted flowers, upgraded the playground, and updated our club house. We keep a close eye on the condition of our community, both above and below ground, and make sure everything is in tip-top shape.
In a resident-owned community, residents decide on what is needed, and establish the budget accordingly. Our board of directors then manages the community projects and operations, along with the property management firm we hired. The process of buying the land beneath our homes has brought this community closer together. Ask anyone who lives here: We all know far more of our neighbors and care about their well-being like never before. And with no outside landlord to report to, we're the envy of other nearby manufactured home communities.
Our member households elect the board of directors, which not only works with the property management firm, but also appoints various volunteer committees to help with special projects, celebrations, community improvements and more. The board submits a budget every year, and the entire membership votes on it and any changes to the rent before the budget becomes official. Our rent has stabilized since becoming a ROC, something about which we're not only happy, but also proud. In our first 14 years we only saw two increases to our rent, which we used toward community projects. We're running the multi-million dollar business that is our community on our terms, by our rules, for the betterment of ourselves and our neighbors. This is small-town living that really works!
And Lakes Region MH Cooperative couldn't be better situated. It's just a short drive to Laconia, where you'll find all kinds of shopping, restaurants, entertainment, churches and more. We are literally in the Lakes Region, just a few skips of a stone from several of New Hampshire's pristine lakes. Where most say "vacation", we say "home". With Lake Winnipesaukee, Gunstock Mountain Ski Area, the Tanger Shopping Outlets and Lakes Region Community College all just minutes from home, there's something for everyone! Whether you're headed to work, or out on a fun adventure, it's all within reach when you live in Lakes Region Manufactured Housing Cooperative.
Ask anyone who lives in here, and we're sure they'll tell you it's a little slice of heaven.
Now, the Lakes Region Manufactured Housing Cooperative is not only a successful business, but also a thriving neighborhood. The process of the cooperative buying the land beneath our homes brought this community closer together. Not only do we know far more of our neighbors than ever before, but we look out for one another, too. And with no outside landlord to report to, we're the envy of other nearby manufactured home communities.
Our community's infrastructure is maintained by the reliable corporation "Lakes Region Manufactured Housing Cooperative"...that's us. This means when a new well is needed, we make sure it happens, if a septic system needs repair, we are on it. When we purchased our community we decided as a group how we wanted to change our neighborhood. One of our first improvements was to repave our roads, but we didn't stop there. We then worked on the water system replacing pipes and other aspects of the water system to make sure it runs efficiently and effectively. We now have a state-of-the-art community well-water system. We've also added a new community sign, planted flowers, upgraded the playground, and updated our club house. We keep a close eye on the condition of our community, both above and below ground, and make sure everything is in tip-top shape.
In a resident-owned community, residents decide on what is needed, and establish the budget accordingly. Our board of directors then manages the community projects and operations, along with the property management firm we hired. The process of buying the land beneath our homes has brought this community closer together. Ask anyone who lives here: We all know far more of our neighbors and care about their well-being like never before. And with no outside landlord to report to, we're the envy of other nearby manufactured home communities.
Our member households elect the board of directors, which not only works with the property management firm, but also appoints various volunteer committees to help with special projects, celebrations, community improvements and more. The board submits a budget every year, and the entire membership votes on it and any changes to the rent before the budget becomes official. Our rent has stabilized since becoming a ROC, something about which we're not only happy, but also proud. In our first 14 years we only saw two increases to our rent, which we used toward community projects. We're running the multi-million dollar business that is our community on our terms, by our rules, for the betterment of ourselves and our neighbors. This is small-town living that really works!
And Lakes Region MH Cooperative couldn't be better situated. It's just a short drive to Laconia, where you'll find all kinds of shopping, restaurants, entertainment, churches and more. We are literally in the Lakes Region, just a few skips of a stone from several of New Hampshire's pristine lakes. Where most say "vacation", we say "home". With Lake Winnipesaukee, Gunstock Mountain Ski Area, the Tanger Shopping Outlets and Lakes Region Community College all just minutes from home, there's something for everyone! Whether you're headed to work, or out on a fun adventure, it's all within reach when you live in Lakes Region Manufactured Housing Cooperative.
Ask anyone who lives in here, and we're sure they'll tell you it's a little slice of heaven.
