; Whereas member-owners of cooperatives vote in board elections, and earned profits cycle back into cost-saving programs or return as dividend payments; Whereas purchasing and shared service cooperatives allow independent and franchise businesses to thrive; Whereas food cooperatives range in size from small, local buying clubs to multistore regional giants that compete with chain stores with locations across the United States; Whereas in the housing sector, housing cooperatives and resident-owned communities in which members own the building or land— (1) are an alternative to conventional rental apartments, manufactured home parks, and condominiums; and (2) empower each resident with ownership and responsibility; Whereas housing cooperatives have roots dating to the late 1800s and are increasingly becoming a housing alternative for students at colleges throughout the United States; Whereas shared equity housing cooperatives are a critical option for preserving long-term, affordable housing; Whereas cooperatives allow residents of manufactured home communities to collectively purchase the land on which they live, providing stability and the opportunity to self-govern; Whereas, as of 2019, not less than 1,000 manufactured home communities were resident owned, accounting for approximately 2 percent of all manufactured home communities; Whereas the growth of worker cooperatives in the United States is allowing more workers to own and have greater control over their businesses; Whereas many small businesses convert to cooperatives when faced with closure or buyout, ensuring the business can continue to serve its community; and Whereas the cooperative business model allows business owners to retire and transfer business ownership to employees or consumers, protecting local ownership and supporting local communities: Now, therefore, be it