TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Largo Mobile Home Park Abruptly Closed

ADVERTISEMENT

By STEVEN GIRARDI

sgirardi@tampatrib.com

Published: October 9, 2008

LARGO - Eight families in a mobile home park, left without water for a week, were scrambling to find housing Wednesday as city officials began closing the park.

"I have no idea what I'm going to do," said Adelia Eichelberger, 52. "I don't have money to move even if I had a place."

Eichelberger is among the 16 adults and 18 children who learned Tuesday they have to leave their rented homes at No Go Largo Village, 1760 Clearwater-Largo Road, by noon today.

Largo city officials and Catholic Charities representatives were at the park by 8:30 a.m. Wednesday trying to help the families find temporary and permanent housing.

"I've been on the phone for two solid days trying to make that happen," Largo Community Development director Carol Stricklin said. "One thing I learned in all the phone calls is there is not a big safety net for people who are vulnerable and need housing."

The residents have struggled to live at the park since Pinellas County Utilities shut off water eight days ago. Key Largo Communities, which owns the mostly abandoned park, hasn't paid the water bill since July and owes the county $8,400, Stricklin said.

Without water, the homes are unsafe and unsanitary, forcing the city to close them. Code inspectors posted red notices on the units Wednesday morning, declaring them "unfit for human habitation or occupancy."

That left Cheryl and Darren Combs, who moved into a unit with their five children in June, once again looking for a home. Both are out of work, waiting for their disability cases to be settled.

"We have no income. I work for my rent," said Darren Combs, 48, who did maintenance at the park to cover their rent.

Catholic Charities found temporary housing for the Combs beginning today, he said, and was trying to find them a permanent place.

Reporter Steven Girardi can be reached at (727) 451-2333.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT