Mobile Homes

[Sean in New Orleans]

Why do so many people live in mobile homes in Florida? To me, it just doesn't make sense. During the summer, Florida is one of the most active areas in the world with violent thunderstorms and with hurricanes, these are the most dangerous structures to be inside. It seems, during Andrew, Charley, and now Frances, we are hearing horror story after horror story about mobile homes and these structures failing. I do not think that these types of homes should be insured in Florida and it will dissuade individuals from living in these structures. Sturdy apartment complexes and individual homes make much more sense in an area of the country that is so succeptible to nature's wrath.

[huricanwatcher]

i question this same thing over and over in my head and without coming up with a reasonable outcome.. My hubby and myself go over it argueing at times and come up with same thing.. Lower income or fixed income need decent housing and thus mobile homes.. Sure newer ones are suppose to be more up to standard, but sure aint nothing against a major cane. Where else would alot of people live?.... Most apt buildings are up to code and present the possibility of numerous people being displaced as well.. We all cant live in brick homes that are hurricane proof..

[Terry]

FLA has no income tax.
Mobile homes are cheap.
Lobby group for mobile home/whatever the other name they now call them is a strong group in Tallahasee.

IMHO - these structures, barrel tile roofs, and road signage should be banned. We should find another way to provide affordable and SAFE housing.

[Sean in New Orleans]

I understand and sympathize with fixed income individuals--especially with the elderly. However, with the resources that are available to everyone, it seems somebody could come up with some type of structure that is affordable for these folks and they can, at least, not have to be so concerned for their safety during these hurricanes. Even if it is government subsidized it seems that a more sturdy structure should be offered to these folks. It doesn't seem fair, either, that these individuals are always the ones who seem to suffer the brunt of the damage and they are the ones that can least afford this damage. It just doesn't make sense to me.

[huricanwatcher]

you dont see mobiles all over jersey, ny or Ct.. and heck they hardly get canes... think they know something the southern states dont?

Took out PA, been in NC for so long forgot how many MH's are in PA

[Sean in New Orleans]

you dont see mobiles all over jersey, pa, ny or Ct.. and heck they hardly get canes... think they know something the southern states dont?

They are few and far between in Louisiana...I see them at some places, but, rarely see mobile home subdivisions or a large group of them together. I think most of those on fixed income here live in sturdy apartments.

[opera ghost]

You also don't see them in the Pacific where they get slammed by typhoons on a semi regular basis.

A much higher standard of building should be implimented for the hurricane prone areas of the US (and in some places it has... other places it hasn't- expanding this beyond Florida)

It no different than building homes to withstand earthquakes in California, building tightly insualted homes in the places where Blizzards happen. Build for safety.

[MSRobi911]

Mobile homes can have monthly notes around 200.00 then you have the lot rent of approximately 75.00 (depends on where you are). You have the feeling of living in a house, with a small yard and independence. An aparment cost 700.00 up and no yard to plant flowers, etc. etc......

For fixed income or lower income people its a chance to "own" something that you thought you never would be able to do, a home.

Just my opinion.

[Sean in New Orleans]

Mobile homes can have monthly notes around 200.00 then you have the lot rent of approximately 75.00 (depends on where you are). You have the feeling of living in a house, with a small yard and independence. An aparment cost 700.00 up and no yard to plant flowers, etc. etc......

For fixed income or lower income people its a chance to "own" something that you thought you never would be able to do, a home.

Just my opinion.

I understand this--but, it's dangerous and deadly. My point is offering something similar that is safe.

[huricanwatcher]

Mobile homes can have monthly notes around 200.00 then you have the lot rent of approximately 75.00 (depends on where you are). You have the feeling of living in a house, with a small yard and independence. An aparment cost 700.00 up and no yard to plant flowers, etc. etc......

For fixed income or lower income people its a chance to "own" something that you thought you never would be able to do, a home.

Just my opinion.

And i can relate to this totally... have lived in mobile homes and more than likely will again some day.... (just not in FL)........ oops sorry... but why jump into the fire from the frying pan?

[MSRobi911]

If we could think of the solution we could be millionaires!

Then we could own homes in West Palm Beach.... probably get one cheap about now.....j/k I've been there, done that, didn't get a T-shirt and don't want one - with Georges.

[opera ghost]

Safety. I don't know why people think it's so overrated- but that's the general consensus from the people who get into this argument over the last 2 years.

Safety apparently means nothing next to having a yard and the illusion that you own a home.

I've lived in an apartment for 12 of the last 13 years- From age 11 to 24 with a year in the middle that I lived in my parents new suburban house (before moving back out into a city apartment). I miss the laundry room to be honest- but the yard? I could have a lavish patio garden if I wanted it... I have absolute independance- I'm not tied to a house payment, I can up and move every year if I wanted to. I can afford a better location in the city in an apartment instead of in a house..

I'm safe- my apartment isn't liable to blow to pieces in a strong storm- it isn't likely to damage anyone elses home either. I'm independant- I could have a garden if I wanted one...

And I gurantee you if they eliminate mobile home parks in Florida- some developer will come through and build affordable apartment housing- because there will be a big market for it of displaced mobile home owners.

[huricanwatcher]

but the general population wont allow it..... can you say no yard, and that old RENTAL thing... buy a mobile, have a yard and you have a piece of the american pie..

builders just need to get up to code and find new ways of tieing they down, not just the frame either

[scogor]

I represent many resident-owned mobile home parks in Florida and a good number of renters' associations in investor-owned parks in the state. Homes installed and constructed after Hurricane Andrew (when new standards were enacted) actually held up quite well during Charley and I assume that the same is occurring now with Frances. Please remember, however, that the media would much rather show older mobile homes in shambles and flying carport roofs than entire mobile home parks left basically untouched even though they were directly in Charley's path. The media knows we'd rather read about despair and disaster--but if you'll check out today's Sarasota Herald-Tribune you can read about Ventura Lakes, right in Charley's path, where all of the homes were constructed and installed per the post-Andrew standards and all survived the storm quite well. Manufactured housing is affordable and quite frankly many retirees enjoy the lifestyle. I certainly would not choose to live in a manufactured housing community but I have visited many communities that have newer homes and great recreational facilities. While I would not want to remain in a mobile home in a hurricane, I'd probably seriously consider leaving my site built home--which is what I did when Charley threatened us. And I can tell you from first hand knowledge that Charley did not differentiate between manufactured homes and other types of structures: Newer structures built to more stringent standards had a much better survival rate than older structures--that seemed to apply to all buildings, not just mobile homes.

[Sean in New Orleans]

I live in an urban 3 story structure that is composed of 10 suites and I live on the 2nd floor. This place was built in the 1920's and is literally built as solid as you could imagine--its concrete. I love the place. I wouldn't leave for any hurricane below Category 3 in New Orleans. I'd stay right here. If it was above category 3, I'd leave, only because I would have a fear that the storm surge would top our levees and disease and snakes would be rampant throughout New Orleans. But, I would never be concerned for my possessions in this building for any storm.

[KeyLargoDave]

Don't worry, there won't be any mobile homes left in the Keys in five years. Developers are buying every available mobile home park, evicting the residents and building million-dollar townhomes and condos for people who can afford second and third homes. All the working folk who live here are being shoved out, and "safety" is one of the bogus reasons that developers use to justify it.

I know people who lived in tents in Key Largo in the 30s. They didn't expect to survive hurricanes in them.

[wsquared77]

We live in a mobile home in Homestead FL. We were renting a town home. Real estate prices are SO high in this area that this was what we could afford, and we aren't "low or fixed income". Neither are most of our neighbors so no one should feel sorry for us because we "have" to live in a moblie home. Most in our neighborhood are young families trying to get started in our first homes and we definitely don't need the government or anyone else coming in to provide us better housing. Our home had to meet all the building codes that traditional built homes must meet in the county and is built to withstand 130mph winds. I have to admit that I resent anyone implying that I don't take my or my family's safety seriously because I live in a mobile home. I take our safety very seriously. We paid attention (as did the majority of our neighbors) and left our home during Frances. A lot of the homes you see destroyed during storms are not new and did not have to be built to any standards. Also, people lose structures such as carports etc. These would be lost off of traditional built structures as well. Also, the codes here in dade county are higher for mobile homes than they are in other points of the state.

Just thought I'd throw in the opinion of someone who actually lives in one of these "terrible" structures!

[Innotech]

the problem is, people will literally throw caution and safety to the wind in order to live in Florida. Sure, its cheap and affordable to live in manufactured mobile housing, and it allows people to live in very exspensive real estate. HOWEVER< livingi n Florida is a privelege, not a right, and if you cant AFFORD IT, then dont live there!
I cant afford to live in Key West for example, so I have to do without that luxury lifestyle just like anyone else. I wont put myself at risk trying to get there cheaply and risk my home being obliterated in strong storms.
Its just not worth it. Thisis also why I honestly do not feel very sympathetic for people living in disaster prone areas when the unthinkable does happen. Its a case of "see I told you so"

[coriolis]

One correction: There's LOTS of mobile homes in Pennsylvania. Not so much around the cities, but in rural areas, they're everywhere. Both in parks, as well as on individual lots.

[Tommedic]

Here is an idea that I have been toying with. What if FEMA in conjunction with insurance companies take the reimbursements that people have for their mobile homes and construct condos where each mobile home park was. The difference made up by FEMA would hopefully offset the large number of people who will be without insurance when the next big one comes.

I even had another idea that I plan on putting into a separate topic that will enhance this idea.