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Old Hellgate Village Becomes 22nd ROC in Montana!

By November 1, 2024News, News Position 1

Old Hellgate Village, a 34-lot manufactured home community located just outside the Missoula city limits, has officially become a resident owned community. This significant purchase ensures that the park will maintain affordability for its residents in perpetuity.

Named after the nearby town of Hell Gate, the park is home to 32 households and approximately 55 residents. After a diligent two-year effort, the acquisition was successfully financed through the Montana Coal Trust and NeighborWorks Montana Real Estate Development and Acquisition department, resulting in a joyful celebration for all involved.

The seller expressed heartfelt sentiments regarding the transition, stating, “Everything went very well. I am so happy for all of them. I had many investors call me wanting to purchase the park, but I knew in my heart of hearts I wanted it to be a resident-owned property. I have assured them that if I can help with anything, I will. Thanks for all your team’s hard work!”

Danielle Maiden, Cooperative Housing Director at NeighborWorks Montana, shared her enthusiasm, stating, “We are ecstatic to have Old Hellgate Village become the 22nd Resident Owned Community in Montana. This project was over two years in the making, with an initial acquisition attempt having fallen through in January 2023. We’re grateful that the park owner and residents decided to give it another go. Thanks to their dedication, Old Hellgate Village will provide 34 units of affordable housing for the Missoula area, owned and operated by the residents.”

This purchase marks a pivotal moment for the community, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable and affordable housing solutions in the Missoula area. Residents can now look forward to a future where they play an active role in the management and direction of their community.

About Resident Owned Communities
A resident owned community, or ROC, is a manufactured home community that is owned by the residents who live in the community. Resident homeowners form a corporation to own and operate the community. The corporation is democratically managed, with one vote per household, and the day-to-day operations are overseen by a member-elected board of directors. There are now 22 resident owned communities in Montana. Resident ownership is a proven-successful approach for housing preservation and community development. LEARN MORE

About NeighborWorks Montana
NeighborWorks Montana’s mission is to create housing solutions that give every Montanan the opportunity to live in a home where they can thrive. Since 1998, NWMT has been proudly serving communities across the state and working towards a future where stable housing is a reality.

About ROC USA
There are more than 330 ROCs across the United States. NeighborWorks Montana provides the ROC program in Montana as part of the ROC USA® Network. The ROC USA® Network is made up of twelve non-profit affiliates across the country. The ROC program helps to provide safe, secure, and affordable housing in perpetuity, and it eliminates the risks for residents of rent increases or being evicted without cause.