Ownership Matters

Paul and Mike welcome journalist Amos Barshad to this episode of Ownership Matters, following the publication of his article "The Homeowners' Rebellion" in The Lever. Amos dedicated time and resources to research for this well-written article, going so far as to take a trip to multiple ROCs in Minnesota. Listen in to hear him describe his experience and what he took away from his interactions.

We welcome Deb Winiewicz to this episode of Ownership Matters, a highly active member of her community both locally and nationally, as former board president of Halifax Estates Mobile Home Association and current ROC Association Director of the New England region. She talks to Paul and Mike about the various roles she's held in her community, the recent policy efforts the ROC Association has taken on, and what it means to be a ROC and be a part of the bigger picture. More information, including show notes and links, at rocusa.org/ownershipmatters Follow ROC USA: Twitter: @rocusaorg Facebook: @rocusa.bettertogether

Rachel Arndt joins Paul and Mike on this episode of Ownership Matters to talk about public investment in resident owned communities. Manufactured home communities are being recognized more and more, and Rachel has had first-hand experience with the growing awareness and changing attitudes toward MHCs. Listen to hear how what started as just a sugary drink tax became something bigger - a spotlight on challenges MHCs face, and the creation of legislation to expand residents' rights and opportunities. More information, including show notes and links, at rocusa.org/ownershipmatters Follow ROC USA: Twitter: @rocusaorg Facebook: @rocusa.bettertogether

Margaret Jones from Mountainside Community Cooperative in Maine will tell you herself how much of an advocate she is for manufactured housing and resident ownership. In fact, in this episode of Ownership Matters, Paul and Mike talk to Margaret about all the work she’s done for her community and beyond. From her recent appointment to Maine’s State Manufactured Housing Board to her involvement in the tour of Mountainside Community during the push for the PRICE Fund in 2022, she has been busy and continues to be passionate about advocacy work. She doesn’t hesitate to encourage her fellow manufactured home residents and ROC leaders to join her in the good fight. Listen in to get a taste of what Margaret does, and what all ROC leaders can do with a mindset like hers! More information, including show notes and links, at rocusa.org/ownershipmatters Follow ROC USA: Twitter: @rocusaorg Facebook: @rocusa.bettertogether

Paul and Mike ring in the new year with Season 4 of Ownership Matters! As always, the first episode of the season takes us back to the previous year. Our co-hosts discuss the big events of 2023 - the continued success of PRICE Initiative efforts, more ROCs joining the network, and ROC Association's involvement at the I'm HOME Conference in Chicago. They discuss some of their favorite podcast guests and look forward to some of the changes 2024 will bring, including new leadership for ROC USA and the continued movement of the organization's new subsidiary, Integrity Community Solutions. More information, including show notes and links, at rocusa.org/ownershipmatters Follow ROC USA: Twitter: @rocusaorg Facebook: @rocusa.bettertogether

Paul and Mike take this episode of Ownership Matters in a different direction than usual, with Paul taking the guest seat to answer questions about ROC USA’s new wholly owned subsidiary, Integrity Community Solutions, and what’s happening to his role down the line. Integrity Community Solutions (ICS) was created with the same vision in mind as ROC USA – preserving manufactured home communities through resident ownership. Paul recently announced his decision to step down as President of ROC USA to become the CEO of ICS. Listen in to hear more about ICS and what it does, the thought that went into Paul’s big decision, and what it means for the future of ROC USA and the network. More information, including show notes and links, at rocusa.org/ownershipmatters Follow ROC USA: Twitter: @rocusaorg Facebook: @rocusa.bettertogether

When her community started the process of becoming a co-op, Allie Lechner was skeptical. With her background in property management, she wasn’t sure it was going to work out. Flash forward six years, she is now on the board at the flourishing Zumbro Ridge Estates in Rochester, Minn. and has taken many steps to ensure the community is successful and thriving. In this episode, Allie takes Paul and Mike through her work with infill, fundraising for a playground, and creating a community pantry. She started this journey on the sidelines and with a change of mindset became a deeply involved member of her community. It took work, perseverance, and hope, but Allie’s experiences at Zumbro Ridge Estates can serve as encouragement for other communities and individuals looking to make improvements and wanting to become more involved. More information, including show notes and links, at rocusa.org/ownershipmatters Follow ROC USA: Twitter: @rocusaorg Facebook: @rocusa.bettertogether

George “Mac” McCarthy, President and CEO of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, brings to the table a well-informed outlook on resident ownership. Fueled by his education and experience in economics, Mac delves into conversation with Paul and Mike about the changing views around manufactured housing, his relationships with and advice to owners of manufactured homes – co-ops in particular – and what needs to happen within the housing market to improve conditions and promote resident ownership going forward. More information, including show notes and links, at rocusa.org/ownershipmatters Follow ROC USA: Twitter: @rocusaorg Facebook: @rocusa.bettertogether

Carol Hodgkins from Wardtown Mobile Home Cooperative in Freeport, Maine and Stephen Hamlin from North Avenue Cooperative in Burlington, Vt., join us to discuss their experiences hosting tours in their communities. ROC USA® saw significant change and progress in 2022, and the PRICE Fund was a big part of this. Two years of hard work from community Members around the country led to the program’s inclusion in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill that Congress passed in December. The community tours made an impactful difference. ROCs from Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, hosted congressional staffers and officials to garner support for the PRICE Fund. Carol and Stephen reflect on what those tours accomplished and what they envision for the future of the PRICE Fund. More information, including show notes and links, at rocusa.org/ownershipmatters Follow ROC USA: Twitter: @rocusaorg Facebook: @rocusa.bettertogether

Both Butch and Debbie moved into their communities years before they became ROCs. Today, they are happily reaping the benefits of becoming resident owned, in large part by participating in ROC USA’s online training platform called ROCKET. This platform is free to ROC Members and boasts a variety of different sessions, from mental wellness to board training. Listen in to hear more about what ROCKET offers all ROC Members, how the trainings have benefited Butch and Debbie in their personal lives and within their communities, and the new opportunities available now and coming soon. More information, including show notes and links, at rocusa.org/ownershipmatters Follow ROC USA: Twitter: @rocusaorg Facebook: @rocusa.bettertogether