CAÑON CITY, Colo. – A new partnership will create pathways for families experiencing homelessness to achieve homeownership in ROCs throughout the network.
ROC USA® has partnered with Family Promise, a national organization that provides those coming out of transitional living the opportunity to buy homes by providing financing and education about the process.
“We are excited to enter a national partnership with Family Promise after seeing the incredible impact that two Affiliates have had in two Resident Owned Communities in Montana and Colorado,” said Paul Bradley, President of ROC USA. “ROCs are engaged, secure and affordable communities – a perfect place for families and individuals that are working with Family Promise and their effective and time-tested model.”
Claas Ehlers, CEO at Family Promise, agreed.
“One of the points of the Family Promise star is ‘community.’ It is central to whom we engage, what we do, and what we create,” he said. “We are thrilled to work formally with ROC USA, which embodies those same principles. Manufactured housing is our country’s largest source of affordable housing without a subsidy. ROC USA is an important part of our efforts to give families not just homes but an opportunity to achieve the future for their children that every parent wants.”
ROC USA will also support Family Promise’s mission to raise awareness about family homelessness.
This isn’t the only partnership that Family Promise has formed to help benefit ROCs.
Earlier this month, Clayton and Family Promise launched their “A Future Begins at Home” project. Along with the education and programming to support those coming out of transitional living, the program gifts a manufactured home to families in need.
Sara Warren moved in to her new home in Rocky Mountain Homeowners Cooperative in Cañon City, Colo. The community was the first to become a ROC in Colorado, working with Thistle Communities, the ROC USA® Network Certified Technical Assistance Provider.
“I actually feel lighter,” Warren told FOX21 on the day of the ribbon cutting for her new home. “It’s something my kids deserve.”
Bradley said he was proud to have the home from this partnership placed in a ROC.
“ROC USA Network and Thistle Communities were thrilled to be able to participate with Family Promise and Clayton in the effort to deliver the Warren family a new home,” he said. “By joining the Rocky Mountain resident-owned community, Sara and her children are receiving the gift of sustainable homeownership in a supportive community.”
Family Promise also worked with C&C Community Inc., a 60-site ROC in Billings, Mont. The local chapter purchased three homes in the co-op and sold them to clients of the program there.