CDI has worked with manufactured homeowners across New England since 2009, helping them cooperatively purchase and democratically manage their neighborhoods. CDI’s Water Infrastructure Support Program (WISP) helps both resident- and nonprofit-owned communities access funding to build safe and reliable water and wastewater infrastructure.
Manufactured-home communities are an essential source of affordable housing for New England. But often their infrastructure is at the end of its useful lifespan, so major investment is needed to sustain these affordable communities for the long term.
WISP bridges the gap between the water infrastructure funding world, traditionally geared toward municipalities, and Manufactured-home communities. This program provides FREE technical and managerial support to connect eligible Manufactured-home communities across New England with available funding sources, including from the USDA Rural Development agency.
To be eligible, the MHC in New England must be
CDI can quickly determine if your MHC is eligible when you request assistance below.
Email: jward@cdi.coop
Jeremiah Ward is the WISP Program Director at CDI. Before taking the lead on WISP, Jeremiah served as a Cooperative Development Specialist under CDI’s New England Resident Owned Communities Program for 12 years. He has managed several resident owned community (ROC) acquisitions and is skilled at both managing highly technical real estate development work and adept at resident organizing, which requires building trust and clearly communicating complex information so residents can be successful owners of their newly formed business. Jeremiah has also served as project manager for a number of infrastructure replacement projects at various ROCs and he specializes in manufactured home infill and replacement. Prior to working with CDI, Jeremiah earned an M.A. in Community Development and Planning from Clark University with a focus on cooperative development.
Email: sbelcher@cdi.coop
Stephen is an Associate for CDI’s Water Infrastructure Support Program (WISP). He supports the program’s administrative needs including data collection, grant applications, and grant reporting. Prior to CDI, Stephen worked as the Operations Manager for the North Country Food Co-op in Plattsburg, New York. During his time there, he helped oversee $2 million a year in sales, helped optimize data systems and margins, and coordinated efforts to bring in community-based programs to the store. Stephen graduated from the State University of New York with a double major in English Literature and Philosophy. He is an avid reader, enjoys studying and learning new languages, and distance walking.
Email: ngoldman@cdi.coop
Nate Goldman started as an Associate with CDI’s Water Infrastructure Support Program (WISP) team in September 2024. He came to CDI with a background in building construction trades, beginning as a carpenter in 1985 and filling many other roles over the years as a project supervisor, estimator, safety program manager and senior project manager. Throughout his career, he gained experience coordinating complex building projects with a high level of communication and collaboration.
Nate has had a long-standing awareness of housing insecurity and homelessness in Vermont, where he has lent a hand through volunteering in the community. These concerns led him to CDI where he now can more actively assist with housing access and resiliency.
Nate lives and works in Underhill Center, Vermont, where he is also a volunteer firefighter. He enjoys spending time with family, working on projects around the house, as well as biking, hiking and skiing in the woods nearby.
Email: apaul@cdi.coop
Annik Paul is a Program Associate at WISP. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development from SIT Graduate Institute and a Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance from Worcester State University. Prior to joining WISP, she held many roles while working in the manufactured housing sector including advocating for residents rights, providing pre- and post-purchase technical assistance to resident owned communities, and supportive roles such as team manager. Prior to joining CDI, Annik worked as a Relationship Manager for ROC USA. She is passionate about preserving affordable housing. Annik lives in Jeffersonville, Vermont with her dog Fluffernutter. In her free time she enjoys gardening, seeing live music, and spending time on/in/near water.
