Boardman Residents Purchase Manufactured Home Community

Residents of Bella Vista Estates in Boardman recently purchased the 127-space manufactured housing community providing stability and affordable living for its residents. Formerly Desert Springs Estates — Bella Vista Estates is one of seven resident-owned communities in Oregon. Purchase by the resident owned coop preserves the community and gives the residents control of its future. Without resident ownership, lower income tenants could face eviction or higher rents imposed by a new owner over which they have no say.

Working with Community and Shelter Assistance Corporation, or CASA of Oregon, Bella Vista formed a cooperative group to secure financing and completed the sale on January 31st. CASA of Oregon was able to help Bella Vista secure $3.15 million in funding to buy the park. CASA Executive Director Peter Hainley said converting to resident-owned communities takes the speculation out of the property, and ensures the co-ops will keep rates affordable for everybody.

According to data provided by CASA of Oregon, there are approximately 1,293 manufactured housing parks with 65,500 spaces statewide. This represents a majority of the affordable housing stock available to low- and fixed-income Oregonians.

Read George Plaven’s story about Bella Vista Estates in the East Oregonian here.

— Posted on 3/25/2014