The recent appeal to the Lake County Board of Supervisors by residents of several of the mobile home parks for rent stabilization brings to mind recent events I witnessed while visiting Florida this winter. This quite possibly may be a glimpse of what may come to pass here in Lake County.
I had not been to the Tampa Bay area, specifically the Gulf coast towns of Clearwater-Largo, for more than 15 years. I was shocked at the new developement along the beaches. Where once you could see the vista of beautiful white sand beaches and formerly you could even drive on some of the beaches, there are now 20- to 30-story condominiums totally blocking the views of the waterfront for miles. There is nothing left to develop until another major hurricane blows thru.
I also happened to watch a BOS meeting there in Largo at which an appeal went out to the BOS by residents of the last mobile home park that was not owned by the residents. They owned their trailers but not the lots. All the other remaining mobile home parks in the area are owned by the residents and have homeowners associations and such. For two days the BOS of Largo, Fla. listened as many of the 400 residents of the Green Lantern Mobile Home Park pleaded with the BOS not to allow the sale of this long time community to go through. Most all the residents were elderly, on fixed incomes, disabled, or both. It was a heart wrenching thing to watch, but after all was said and done the Largo BOS gavel came down and the sale went through.
We have all seen rapid inflation and rising property values make it more and more difficult for seniors and the disabled as well as young families to make ends meet. It is to the point where many must choose between buying medication and food or paying the rent, a tough choice to say the least. The recent appeal to the Lake County BOS for rent stabilization is but another indication of the predicament low income families and fixed income residents face.
Although I am sure the members of the BOS empathize with this plight, unfortunately their hands are tied when it comes to the sale of these mobile home parks. It is my opinion these properties will be the next target of the big buck developers in Lake County, especially those properties located along the lakefront and creeks in this area.
Rent stabilization may be a temporary, stop gap measure but most of the owners of these properties, especially the “out of towners,” will cringe and bristle at such an ordinance and it is probable any such ordinance will likely hasten the sale of these sites. The only solution I see for the affected mobile home parks is for the residents to organize and come to an agreement with the property owners to buy them out, if the owner of said properties are so inclined. Otherwise, the majority of these residents will likely be displaced through the next several years.
The big picture here is the issue that the BOS is now beginning to wrestle with and will continue to struggle with on an ever increasing basis. The issue of affordable housing. Obviously, a plan must be devised that is equitable for all. Good luck on this one Jeff, Ed, Tony, Gary and Rob.
