SALEM, Ore. — Residents of Harbor Village Cooperative in Newport celebrated the completion of preservation improvements this past weekend, marking another milestone in their efforts to protect their community and keep it under resident ownership for years to come.

Harbor Village is a 201-site, resident-owned community overlooking Yaquina Bay, with 53 manufactured homes and 148 RV sites. The community serves residents age 55 and older with low incomes.

“This park is over 50 years old, so a lot of old infrastructure was still present,” said Harbor Village Cooperative Board Secretary Blanca Smith. “It has been an absolute godsend because we are running at a good capacity now, just like any other homeowner. We don’t have to worry about the power going out all the time, not getting enough water pressure, all of that is in fine working order now.”

The story of Harbor Village’s preservation began in 2020 when residents learned the privately owned park was being put up for sale. Rather than face an uncertain future under new ownership, residents organized to explore purchasing the property themselves.

With help from CASA of Oregon, residents formed Harbor Village Cooperative and moved forward with purchasing the property. The cooperative finalized the sale in May 2021, putting the community’s future into the hands of the people who live there.

"Oregon's population is aging and our housing supply needs to be ready to meet their needs, " said Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Executive Director Andrea Bell. "Keeping homes like Harbor Village affordable, safe, and accessible ensures the freedom of stability.”

OHCS provided approximately $8 million toward the preservation of Harbor Village, part of a total project cost of about $18 million. OHCS funding supported the acquisition of the property and preservation improvements. Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credits were also included in the financing package.

The complete improvements focused on infrastructure throughout the community, including water and sewer improvements, erosion-control measures, asphalt work and repairs, lighting and signage improvements, concrete repairs, and accessibility upgrades.

Resident-owned communities offer an alternative to traditional investor-owned manufactured home parks. Residents collectively own the land through a cooperative and elect a board to oversee the community, giving members a direct role in decisions affecting their homes and neighborhood.

"Across the State of Oregon there are 29 other resident-owned communities who have similarly committed to preserving affordable homeownership through the continued effort and dedication which is required to own and operate a manufactured home community,” said Alex Annand, manufactured housing and cooperative development center director at CASA of Oregon. “Harbor Village's success should be celebrated and viewed as an example of what Oregonians are capable of when they are supported and provided an opportunity to take control of their housing."

For Harbor Village residents, that model means the work that began when they learned their community was for sale more than five years ago has resulted in greater control over the place they call home.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)

OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians with low and moderate incomes. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.