Nueva Vida Mobile Home Park

Nueva Vida Mobile Home Park, formerly known as Parklane, is a remarkable 68-unit community nestled in Fort Collins, Colorado, that stands as a model for **affordable, community-driven housing** in the Northern Colorado region. The name "Nueva Vida," which translates to "New Life," symbolizes the park's significant transition and renewed commitment to its residents, many of whom are low-income families and immigrants. This park is unique because it was purchased by the non-profit organization **United Neighbors/Vecinos Unidos (UN/VU)** on behalf of the tenants. This successful purchase utilized Colorado's "opportunity to purchase" (O2P) statute, ensuring the park would be preserved as a critical source of affordable housing in the face of rapidly rising real estate costs.

This non-profit ownership model is fundamentally different from a park owned by a private, for-profit investor. The primary goal of UN/VU is not maximizing profits, but rather **maintaining long-term affordability** and stability for the park's 250-300 residents. This mission means that decisions regarding lot rent increases are made carefully, with a focus on covering operational costs, funding necessary infrastructure repairs, and ensuring the park remains accessible to its residents. This structure directly addresses one of the biggest challenges facing mobile home park residents—unpredictable and often aggressive rent hikes by corporate owners. The commitment to a community-centric approach is strong, including a focus on bilingual communication and providing a pathway for future resident governance and ownership.

The community has undergone, and continues to undergo, significant infrastructure improvements. Like many older mobile home parks, the property required substantial updates upon purchase. The new ownership model has allowed for critical investments in the community's physical health, including addressing water system problems, tree safety, and the removal of dilapidated structures. These efforts are aimed at creating a safer, more sustainable, and better living environment for all the families who call Nueva Vida home.

Nueva Vida Mobile Home Park is located in an accessible part of Fort Collins, close to major roads and essential community services. The park's address is:

411 S Ct St, Fort Collins, CO 80524, USA

This location places residents near the core services of the city, facilitating daily life for families. The area benefits from proximity to local schools, retail centers, and community resources. The park's accessibility features are important for ensuring inclusivity and ease of movement within the community and beyond:

• Proximity to public transportation routes for easy city access.
• Location within the East Mulberry Plan Area, indicating proximity to city planning and resource efforts.

Given the community's family-oriented nature, the convenience of being located near schools like Laurel Elementary School and Lesher Middle School is a significant advantage. Furthermore, the focus on community involvement, including resource fairs and planning staff outreach, means residents are well-connected to broader Fort Collins initiatives.

The services at Nueva Vida are centered on stability, infrastructure improvement, and community empowerment, reflecting the non-profit ownership model.

• **Affordable Lot Rent:** A core service is the commitment to keeping lot rents well below market rate for the Fort Collins area, with expected annual increases being modest (e.g., around $50), providing residents with greater financial predictability than in investor-owned parks.
• **Infrastructure Improvement and Ownership:** UN/VU maintains ownership of crucial park infrastructure, such as the newly purchased water meter system. This means the organization, not the individual tenants, is responsible for major, costly repairs to the water and sewer systems, streets, and other common infrastructure.
• **Professional Management:** The non-profit has hired Common Good Management to handle property management, ensuring professional operations while remaining aligned with the non-profit's mission.
• **Bilingual Support:** Leases, community rules, and monthly community meetings are provided in both **English and Spanish**, with childcare provided during meetings to ensure all residents can participate fully in the governance of their community.
• **Community-Led Initiatives:** The park facilitates community activities, such as the inauguration of the Nueva Vida Soccer Field, which connects community members and promotes social well-being.
• **Access to Resources:** The ownership structure allows the community to successfully seek grant funding for significant repairs, such as window and front door replacements for residents' homes, sewer line replacement, and roof replacements, improving the health and safety of the homes.

The standout features of Nueva Vida are largely centered on its unique ownership model and the resulting commitment to resident empowerment and community enhancement.

• **Non-Profit Ownership (UN/VU):** This structure is the most significant highlight, ensuring the park's primary mission is affordable housing preservation and resident stability, rather than profit generation.
• **Resident-Focused Future:** The model is geared towards establishing resident ownership and governance, empowering the families to have a direct say in the future of their neighborhood.
• **Major Infrastructure Investment:** Significant work has been undertaken to repair and replace deteriorating infrastructure, including water/sewer systems and street repaving, which directly improves the quality of life for all residents.
• **Bilingual and Inclusive Community:** The consistent use of English and Spanish in communication and meetings fosters an inclusive environment that respects the cultural and linguistic background of its diverse resident population.
• **Low Eviction Rate:** Despite the challenges, the park has been successful in maintaining community stability and has not had to evict a single tenant, demonstrating a commitment to working with residents to maintain housing.
• **Community Amenities:** The new soccer field and efforts to host neighborhood events like the Soccer Fiesta enhance the recreational and social life available within the park.

For inquiries about current availability, the application process, or to learn more about the non-profit ownership model and community rules, interested parties can contact the park management team:

Address: 411 S Ct St, Fort Collins, CO 80524, USA

Phone: (970) 239-4853

Mobile Phone: +1 970-239-4853

Nueva Vida Mobile Home Park is worth choosing for Colorado residents seeking a stable and genuinely **affordable housing solution** in the high-cost Fort Collins market, particularly those who value a strong sense of community and the opportunity to participate in the governance of their neighborhood. The park’s foundation—being rescued from the private market and placed under the stewardship of the non-profit United Neighbors/Vecinos Unidos—is a powerful testament to its commitment to long-term affordability and resident well-being.

While the park, like any older property, has faced infrastructure challenges, the crucial difference is that the current ownership is actively and transparently addressing these issues with a significant investment of resources and grant funding, rather than deferring maintenance or passing exorbitant costs to residents. For families, especially those with children who appreciate a safe, community-oriented environment with resources like the new soccer field, Nueva Vida offers a stable place to call home. The predictable and modest increases in lot rent provide a level of financial security rarely found in other manufactured housing communities today. The commitment to bilingual communication and community engagement makes it a supportive environment for its diverse population. Choosing Nueva Vida is not just choosing a lot; it is choosing a community with a "New Life" mission, where residents' stability and well-being are the top priority.

Nueva Vida Mobile Home Park

411 S Ct St, Fort Collins, CO 80524, USA