Hundreds of residents in Fort Lauderdale face eviction after mobile home park sale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – The situation in Fort Lauderdale is becoming increasingly distressing for over 200 residents who face eviction from their homes. This upheaval follows the sale of the Pan American Estates Mobile Home Park, leading to a significant disruption in the lives of many, including Maria Bermudes. Bermudes, a resident who had recently invested in renovating her mobile home, expressed her anguish to NBC6, saying, “Having our forever home then getting our temporary home, it’s terrible.” Despite receiving $11,000 in relocation incentives, Bermudes argues that this amount is insufficient compared to her investment.
The story of Bermudes is not an isolated one. Many residents, like Tonya Rodriguez and her husband, are grappling with similar challenges. They recently spent money on a new roof, not anticipating the impending eviction. Rodriguez reflected on their predicament: “If we would have known this was going to happen we wouldn’t have spent so much money trying to fix it up.” This situation is particularly difficult for those who recently bought or rented their properties, as their significant investments now seem in jeopardy due to the mobile park’s sale and the ensuing eviction process.
The new owners of the park, managed by The Urban Group, have offered compensation to residents, which reportedly surpasses Florida’s minimum legal requirements. Matt Rosenbaum, President of the Urban Group, stated in October, “Residents were provided a six months’ notice to vacate the property consistent with Florida Statute.” Despite these efforts, the transaction raises concerns. Legal expert Christopher Marlowe pointed out potential issues, including possible insufficient communication or dubious dealings, “If it turns out that number of people that you’ve spoken with had no idea of an impending sale, and they can’t make use of this major purchase almost immediately, obviously the prospect of, if not outright fraud, but potentially some underhanded dealings.”
With the April deadline approaching, the remaining residents of Pan American Estates Mobile Park face the daunting task of finding new homes. This challenge is exacerbated by a tough real estate market, offering limited alternatives. The certainty of a stable home, once taken for granted, now becomes a distant and costly dream for these residents.
