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When Laverne Shafer received the news that La Luna, formerly known as Mountain View mobile home park, was going to be listed for sale, he felt devastated. "I've lived here since I was 22 years old," Shafer said. "I'm now 60. I don't want to leave. This is home."
Shafer is one of the many residents of La Luna, a mobile home community located in Lafayette. He is also the president of the board for La Luna Cooperative, an organization formed by residents in response to the sale of the park. The news of the listing hit the community like a bombshell. In September 2022, residents received a notice from their landlords informing them of their intentions. "We were all in shock," said Mary Yacconi, secretary of La Luna Cooperative. "But then one of my neighbors handed me a flyer about mobile home park tenant rights. It was a wake-up call."
The flyer ignited a spark of hope among the residents. They realized that they had rights, and they weren't going to give up their homes without a fight. One of the biggest concerns was the possibility of a large corporation buying the property. With a developer already building townhomes on the lot next door, the fear of being displaced was stronger. "Our first thought was that we were going to be homeless," Shafer added.
Empowered by a 2020 Colorado law allowing mobile home park residents to purchase their lots upon potential sale, the community at La Luna sprang into action. Within six weeks, they formed the cooperative, a demonstration to their firm commitment for their community and the desire to protect the rights of mobile home park residents. Together, they embarked on a crucial mission: securing financing to keep their homes. La Luna members diligently explored loan options and funding avenues, driven by a single, unwavering goal: "We were trying to protect everybody that lives in the park and find financing options to buy the lot," Schafer said. "Our motto has always been not to leave anyone behind."
The potential sale of a mobile home park raises significant concerns for residents, who often face the possibility of displacement or rent increases beyond their means. This leaves them with few practical options if the property undergoes a change in ownership or land use. “Many of the residents are senior citizens with a fixed income which made us very concerned about the future for all of us,” added Alberto Gonzalez, La Luna Cooperative treasurer.
Finding a new neighborhood can be both daunting and financially prohibitive. The average cost of moving a mobile home can reach $9,000, depending on factors such as the home's size, distance moved, escort vehicles required, its condition, and associated permits and fees.
Residents of La Luna met with Thistle and Together Colorado, two local organizations dedicated to empowering communities and assisting mobile home park residents in preserving affordable housing and fostering self-determination. During their meeting, they explored the concept of Resident Owned Communities (ROCs), where homeowners collectively purchase the land that they live on through a cooperative. This model empowers residents with control over their monthly lot rent and protects them from unfair evictions.
Besides managing the future of the park, resident ownership has fostered a strong sense of belonging and cooperation. Shaffer added, "People want to talk; they want to know how you're doing and how your family is. We've bonded together in a way that never happened before." This newfound connection highlights the impact that resident ownership can have on creating thriving communities.
The cooperative has obtained most of its financing for the acquisition of the property in the form of grants and low-interest loans that lower the total cost of purchasing the park. To help preserve existing affordable housing, the Boulder County Board of Commissioners extended a $1.1 million forgivable loan toward the purchase of La Luna by its residents.
“We are thrilled to announce this funding source to support more affordable housing options in Boulder County,” said Commissioner Claire Levy. The news came as an early holiday present for this community. “I cried! It was such a relief!” said Denise Gilmour, La Luna operations manager. “We weren’t completely sure if we’re going to afford the purchase of the lot.”
Strong partnerships and active community involvement in shaping policy have been instrumental in achieving La Luna remarkable results. This is a story of hope, resilience, and the power of community, one that continues to unfold and inspire residents to share their experiences for the benefit of others.
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