Emerald Pines Cooperative Expands Affordable Homeownership in Alexandria 

Three new homes are helping mark a new chapter for Emerald Pines Cooperative in Alexandria. With help from CoNorth, a nonprofit that supports manufactured home communities in becoming resident-owned cooperatives, residents now collectively own the land, make decisions about their community, and determine how to invest in its future. 

“Quite often, there are decades of disinvestment in these communities because they were prioritized as opportunities for making money rather than as safe, stable, growing communities for the residents,” said Amelia Swisher, CoNorth Director of Communications and Advancement. 

The transition gave residents control over decisions, including setting budgets and planning community improvements. It also began a period of significant change as residents addressed years of deferred maintenance and prepared the community for the future. 

Giving Residents a Voice 

CoNorth began in 1999 as Northcountry Cooperative Foundation and shifted its focus to affordable housing and manufactured home communities in 2004. Since then, the organization has helped 18 manufactured home communities transition to resident ownership. 

In a traditional manufactured home community, residents typically own their homes but rent the land beneath them. In a resident-owned cooperative, residents collectively own the land, elect a board, set budgets, and decide how to invest in their community. 

“The great part is that these are democratically governed, collectively owned communities, so residents have a voice in what happens in their community,” said Amelia. 

Resident ownership can also provide more financial stability. Instead of lot rent supporting an outside owner, that money stays within the cooperative and helps meet the community’s needs. 

Supporting the Next Chapter at Emerald Pines 

Emerald Pines needed significant infrastructure improvements, and some residents left during the transition, leaving the cooperative with fewer members than anticipated.  

Our lending team provided financing to help the community manage expenses during this period and prepare for future growth. 

“West Central Initiative helped with a loan to meet the current expenses so that the community could start expanding again, which we very much appreciated,” said Amelia. 

Now, that next phase is taking shape as CoNorth has placed three new manufactured homes at Emerald Pines, creating more affordable homeownership opportunities in the Alexandria area.  

“They’re durable, energy-efficient, and deeply affordable,” said Amelia. “Our last two buyers had been renting and found that owning a home in a resident-owned community cost about the same each month as renting an apartment.” 

Growing for the Future 

For Emerald Pines, adding new homes brings new residents into the cooperative, helps support shared expenses, and strengthens the community for the future. 

“The community has converted, residents know how to run their community, and the infrastructure work has happened,” said Amelia. “It really is a visual reminder when you’re walking through, and you see several new homes in the community.” 

As Emerald Pines welcomes new homeowners, CoNorth will continue supporting residents as they manage and plan for their community.  

To learn more about CoNorth and its work supporting resident-owned manufactured home communities, visit conorth.coop. 

Visit wcif.org/loans/ to learn more about our loan program and how financing can help bring your next project or business idea to life.