BRADENTON, Fla. — Time is up for residents of Bradenton’s W.T. Mobile Home Park.
- Residents informed on August 30 they had 30 days to vacate homes
- Remaining residents served eviction notices on Oct. 2
- Property to become climate-controlled storage facility
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The lot on Manatee Avenue that currently houses the mobile home park was purchased for just shy of $2 million. On August 30, roughly two dozen men and women living in the park were informed that they would need to vacate their homes in 30 days.
For decades, the community has been home to low-income men and women. Many of the residents live with a disability and on a fixed income.
“It’s one thing when you move on your own. It’s another thing when you’re told you got to go,” said resident Shelley Marks, through tears.
The property's new owners are set to build a climate-controlled self-storage storage facility on the lot.
Some residents heeded the warning and have since found new places to live. On Friday, roughly a dozen residents still remained in their homes.
“I either stay here until they throw me out, or I live in the streets,” Marks said.
Each remaining resident was served with an eviction notice on Oct. 2, which stated that they had five days to leave the property.
Those left behind say relocating is not that easy.
“I’ve been without power for a week, so I could save the $119 dollars so I could leave,” Marks said.
Rising rent prices, moving costs, and waiting lists for affordable housing have made it hard for residents to relocate. They now have until Monday to come up with a plan.
“I’m going to have to live in a tent for a while,” said resident John Landers.