Sep 17, 2008 11:28 pm US/Eastern
Davie Mobile Home Residents Can't Avoid Evictions
DAVIE (CBS4) ―
The town of Davie calls this a crisis, and for many of the residents at the Palma Nova Mobile Home Park its closing is simply a disaster.
Many of the 850 families at the park live on fixed incomes, with little money to spare. They hoped for a miracle at the Davie Town Council meeting Wednesday night, but it didn't happen. Two weeks ago they marched on Town Hall, but by this week they sat resigned.
They know their park is closing, and for some, like Lorie Ross, there is little help headed their way.
"I have a constant migraine," said Ross. "I am so stressed out, asking anybody if they know of any side jobs so I can make money because I have a mortgage as well."
Ross is caught in a catch 22. She owes money on her mobile home so she is not eligible for state assistance. That is only for people who own their mobile homes free and clear. Since her mobile home is too old to move, she also cannot receive state money to relocate it.
"I have to pay for something I'm not even going to be able to live in," she says.
Davie town leaders told residents Wednesday they want to help. They will look at giving residents money for moving expenses, and the town plans to ask the park's owner, Miles Forman, to pony up as well.
The town is also concerned about the hundreds of kids who will have to change schools and possibly miss the FCAT. Even Ross admits the owner of the park has the right to close it. She, like many others, just isn't sure how she'll find the money to move.
"I don't know," said Ross. "I ask myself that everyday, pray that God gives me the strength to figure out something."
There is a company hired to help these residents relocate. Some say they're not doing enough. Town officials grilled them Wednesday and asked them to step up their efforts. The Town of Davie created a task force a year ago to study this issue; that task force will meet again to assist these residents.
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