Video: Valley Vista Village: A New Model for Attainable, High-Quality Homeownership in California

Tuolumne County, CA is witnessing what many are calling a transformational moment in its housing landscape. Valley Vista Village, in Jamestown in western Tuolumne County, is the largest residential development the area has seen in 20 to 30 years, and it is poised to reshape both the local market and the future of the community. Designed to address a longstanding affordability crisis, the project introduces a new generation of high-quality manufactured homes that promise value and long-term stability for homeowners.

 

A Community Built for the Next Generation

For years, rising housing costs have pushed local young people to seek opportunities elsewhere.

“Communities that can’t keep their young people to come back and raise a family are communities that are going away, and I want my community to have a future,” said Jaron Brandon, Chair of the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors and Supervisor for Tuolumne County’s Fifth District, underscoring the gravity of that trend. Valley Vista Village was created in direct response to that concern—offering starter homes at prices local families can realistically afford.

Brad Waite, General Partner of Valley Vista Village, said that the price of site-built homes in the area ar out of reach for most residents, which makes manufactured housing the only viable path to homeownership.

Breaking Stereotypes About Manufactured Housing

The homes in Valley Vista Village feature the modern designs, superior materials and elevated production standards that have redefined manufactured housing in recent years.

MHI CEO Dr. Lesli Gooch highlighted this shift in the modern manufactured home.

“This is quality home ownership, without compromise,” she said. “We are not asking our younger, entry-level home buyers to compromise.”

Jamie Perez, Executive Director of the California Manufactured Housing Institute, emphasized that today’s manufactured homes offer contemporary styling, energy efficiency and long-term durability.

Amenities Typically Found in Luxury Developments

Beyond affordability, what sets Valley Vista Village apart are its amenities: scenic view lots, natural topography, a pond, and a one-and-a-half-mile walking trail are all integrated into the design.

“When you look at the amenities that come with this house, a lot of these amenities come with much more expensive site-built homes,” said Ray Gritton, General Partner, Valley Vista Village. “So a first-time home buyer is getting a tremendous value of a home plus great amenities.”

The result is a community experience that rivals, and even exceeds, what buyers might expect from far more expensive developments.

The Economics: Value Without Sacrifice

In Tuolumne County, site-built homes cost at least $300 per square foot, placing them squarely out of reach for most first-time buyers. Valley Vista Village was intentionally designed to break that barrier by offering high-quality homes at a fraction of that price.

By dramatically expanding the pool of residents who can afford to purchase a home, the development is positioned to attract new families, retain local talent, and strengthen the county’s long-term economic health.

“This gives you the ability to have a great product at a much more affordable price,” said Valley Vista Village General Partner Ron Kopf. “I think it’s going to have a big impact.”

As Tuolumne County prepares for the first families to move into Valley Vista Village, the development stands as a compelling blueprint for other communities facing similar challenges: affordable, beautiful and built for the future.