One of the most difficult problems facing our nation and certainly Kootenai County is affordable housing. For decades, mobile home parks have been a viable and accessible option. However, in recent years, these communities have become targets for large investment groups who see them as a source of easy money. Once they purchase them, they increase lot rentals and other fees to put the squeeze on vulnerable tenants. Since it is costly to relocate an old mobile home, tenants have had few options other than to pay these increased charges. To combat this growing threat, the nonprofit ROC Northwest works with tenants to help them purchase and incorporate as resident owned communities.

This Friday the Democratic Club welcomes Victoria O’Banion. She is the marketing and acquisitions specialist for the ROC Northwest program at Northwest Cooperative Development Center. Victoria is well versed in the affordable housing arena. Since March 2020 she has guided the acquisition of eight resident owned communities.

Join her to learn about the unique needs of these communities and how ROC Northwest works to preserve this form of affordable housing.

ABOUT OUR MEETINGS

The Democrat Club meets each Friday at noon online. We distribute a Zoom link for our club meetings each Thursday prior to the meeting date. Contact Phil at pjwmia@aol.com or Ruben at pjwmia@aol.com, to request the link or assistance connecting. We will return to in person/online meetings as soon as it becomes safe to do so. You can find videos of past Club meetings at KootenaiCountyDemClub.com/Meeting Videos.