Having recently filed for registration with the Oregon Secretary of State, Hub City Village is on track to become a housing cooperative corporation as early as July. CHC has budgeted $15,000 to cover legal and filing fees. In subsequent years only a $75 annual filing fee is required. After being relieved of the day-to-day responsibilities in a landlord-tenant relationship, the CHC board will then be freed to work on other big projects, such as fund-raising and planning the next tiny home village in Albany.
As a cooperative, HCV will assume collective ownership of the cooperative, govern itself, collect rents, pay its bills, provide or pay for necessary maintenance and change policies to fit the needs of its own residents within the limits set by state and local laws and regulations. After the cooperative is established, the CHC board will remain available to guide the village and mentor village officers in carrying out their duties. The training in Restorative Justice is expected to be a major asset in helping the villagers solve their own problems. The goal is to maintain a healthy well-kept community of homes while keeping rents as low as possible.
Kristina McNutt is currently serving as Coordinator and Village President. She is feeling hopeful, excited and a little scared about the huge responsibility with this coming change. She feels her past work experience and training in the fields of gerontology and sociology are of great help in her position. Working closely with Ron Dibble, she is learning how to writing clear and enforceable policies, such as those pertaining to parking and recycling which the residents will then vote on. Her main focus is on bringing the residents together into a true community. One way she does that is by keeping the resident center buzzing with activities. She is also cross-training to be able to carry out the duties of treasurer if it should become necessary.
Diana Martinez is now serving as Chairperson of the Administrative Committee. She was elected to be treasurer of the village and will assume those duties when the cooperative takes effect in July. She is currently being mentored by Jenny Brausch, treasurer of the CHC board of directors. Diana feels quite confident in her ability to carry out the responsibilities of treasurer. She has experience in QuickBooks, Accounts Payable & Receivable, Excel, Publisher, Outlook, scheduling and other computer skills acquired while she worked in the private sector for many years.
Other officers of the village are Tammy Malloy, Vice-President and Shannon Thayer, Secretary. The skills, past experience, gratitude and enthusiasm that so many of the residents bring to this village is truly amazing and bodes well for its success. The learning acquired by the CHC board members, village residents and volunteers should make creating the next tiny home village quite a bit easier.
For more information on cooperative housing see: https://www.squareonevillages.org/housing-co-op