The Hidden Village Story...
Ben Guss, from NWCDC, checks out Jean's gardening.
Hidden Village was established in the early 2000s and has grown over the last several years to a 20-site, resident-owned manufactured home community.
That transition didn't happen overnight. We began the move toward controlling our own destiny in 2008. That's when, with the help of Northwest Cooperative Development Center (NWCDC) and ROC USA®, we formed the Hidden Village Cooperative that would, on September 12, 2008, purchase and take control of our community.
Now, Hidden Village is not only a successful business, but also a thriving neighborhood. The process of the cooperative buying the land beneath our homes brought this community closer together. Not only do we know far more of our neighbors than ever before, but we look out for one another, too. And with no outside landlord to report to, we're the envy of other nearby manufactured home communities.
Our member households elect our board of directors who work together to appoint various volunteer committees to help with special projects, celebrations, community improvements and more. The board submits a budget every year, and the entire membership votes on it and any changes to the rent before the budget becomes official. Our rent has stabilized since becoming a ROC – something about which we're not only happy, but also proud. We're running the multi-million dollar business that is our community on our terms, by our rules, for the betterment of ourselves and our neighbors.
Hidden Village couldn't be better situated. Our, "Hidden Village", is close to several grocery stores, banks, restaurants, a movie theatre, South Sound Center and many more amenities. The schools are very close-by - we are located in the North Thurston School District of the Lacey/Olympia area. There's also plenty of employment opportunities nearby.
Since we voted to become a resident-owned community, we have worked hard to improve our community. We've put up new signs and fencing and have planted flowers and trimmed trees. Our social committee holds events throughout the year, which always include the chance for our members to win prizes and have fun.
Ask anyone who lives in Hidden Village, and we're sure they'll tell you it's a little slice of heaven.
That transition didn't happen overnight. We began the move toward controlling our own destiny in 2008. That's when, with the help of Northwest Cooperative Development Center (NWCDC) and ROC USA®, we formed the Hidden Village Cooperative that would, on September 12, 2008, purchase and take control of our community.
Now, Hidden Village is not only a successful business, but also a thriving neighborhood. The process of the cooperative buying the land beneath our homes brought this community closer together. Not only do we know far more of our neighbors than ever before, but we look out for one another, too. And with no outside landlord to report to, we're the envy of other nearby manufactured home communities.
Our member households elect our board of directors who work together to appoint various volunteer committees to help with special projects, celebrations, community improvements and more. The board submits a budget every year, and the entire membership votes on it and any changes to the rent before the budget becomes official. Our rent has stabilized since becoming a ROC – something about which we're not only happy, but also proud. We're running the multi-million dollar business that is our community on our terms, by our rules, for the betterment of ourselves and our neighbors.
Hidden Village couldn't be better situated. Our, "Hidden Village", is close to several grocery stores, banks, restaurants, a movie theatre, South Sound Center and many more amenities. The schools are very close-by - we are located in the North Thurston School District of the Lacey/Olympia area. There's also plenty of employment opportunities nearby.
Since we voted to become a resident-owned community, we have worked hard to improve our community. We've put up new signs and fencing and have planted flowers and trimmed trees. Our social committee holds events throughout the year, which always include the chance for our members to win prizes and have fun.
Ask anyone who lives in Hidden Village, and we're sure they'll tell you it's a little slice of heaven.
