My name is Steve Varnum. I live in Freedom VIllage Cooperative, a resident-owned community in Concord, New Hampshire. I became familiar with resident-owned communities (ROCs) through my work in communications with the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund. I belong to local food cooperatives and, as a journalist and with the Community Loan Fund, have interviewed many homeowners who were evicted or could no longer afford the rent increases after their communities were bought by corporations. After years of renting homes and apartments I decided to buy a home in a ROC and have loved it ever since.

My name is Matt Chapman from Waukee, IA. I’ve lived in Midwest Country Estates since 2015. This used to be my grandmother’s home, but when she had to go into a facility and I couldn’t sell it, I paid it off and it became my first home. Everything was amazing at first. I built a big shed and a flower garden.

My name is David Bates. We got a little relief with the government stimulus assistance, which I am still thankful for, but Y.E.S. Communities raised the rent twice during the pandemic.

Bill Kinnick, President Delaware Manufactured Homeowners Association (DMHOA)
In Delaware we’ve had two big legislative victories this year.
First, we passed an ombudsman program with the Department of Justice (DOJ).