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Vecinos Unidos Mobile Home Council

Mobile Home Council training

Vecinos Unidos Mobile Home Council, the first in the state, with more than 120 members from 15 mobile homes parks was created in July 2007.

South Florida Mobile Home Council leaders told the County Commission on October 21 they are tired of senseless recommendations like the termination of the moratorium on the redevelopment of parks — currently the only protection for residents.

Commissioners voted unanimously to extend the moratorium another 120 days (through February 2009) while ordering the Department of Planning and Zoning to develop an exit plan that will provide residents with alternatives.

Charles Elsesser, staff attorney of the Community Justice Project of Florida Legal Services, providing council on county policy, said officials should look at the Pinellas County ordinance that links park closings with an effective exit plan to avoid leaving displaced residents homeless.

Palm Mobile Home Park residents displaced earlier this year addressed the lack of support from the county. Since June 2007 seven parks have ceased operation. And despite repeated requests, the Department of Human Services is not able to verify a single permanent placement in alternative affordable housing—they can only confirm three temporary placements in homeless shelters.

The Mobile Home Council has been in front of the County Commission seven times over the passed 18 months. On May 6 2008 Mobile Home Counil members explained to the County Commission the urgent need for new zoning districts to preserve mobile home parks. This new action came on the heels of a county report that once again offered no real solutions.

That same day the administrative moratorium, issued in October 2007 after the Mobile Home Council pressured the county Mayor and the County Manager's office, was extended 120 days.

Through June, July and August of this year the Mobile Home Council has been actively involved in the struggle against evictions at Palm Lake and Trinidad mobile home parks.

Li’l Abner, a very active Mobile Home Council member and one of the County’s biggest parks created their Home Owners Association of more than 500 members, and is in the process of creating a housing cooperative at their park.

Our Council’s ultimate goal is to make sure homeowners will be part of any new development plan that secures their homes.

Resources

Fact Sheets

Fact Sheet Title

Manufactured housing issues in a nutshell

Media Coverage

Miami Herald, June 17, 2007

Low Hanging Fruit Ripe for Developers

Reporter Lisa Arthur describes the impact the development in Miami has on residents of mobile home parks,last source of affordable housing in Miami-Dade County.

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