Protests at the Lil' Abner mobile home park in Sweetwater are ongoing, with hundreds of families facing an eviction notice that threatens their stability.
Among the protesters stands out the testimony of a Cuban resident who has lived there all his life and whose family has called the park home for four decades.
"My family has lived here in this trailer park for 40 years. My grandparents died here. I am the only one left. Now they are doing this to us," the man expressed in a video shared on TikTok by reporter Leonel Alleguez Rey.
The eviction order affects around 900 families, who must leave their homes by January 31, 2025. In exchange, the owner is offering compensation of $14,000, an amount that the residents consider insufficient to cope with the high cost of living in Miami.
With average rents of $2,400 per month for a two-bedroom apartment, many complain that this compensation doesn’t even cover the initial moving expenses.
On the verge of tears, the Cuban recounted how he has invested all his savings into the trailer he inherited and how the situation has impacted his family. "I’m bankrupt because I put all my money and my cards into that trailer. Today is my daughter's 18th birthday, and here I am, on the street. I don’t know where to go, I don’t know what to do," he added.
The resident emphasized that they are not opposed to the development of the land, but they demand inclusive solutions. "We understand that they want to build housing developments, but they should do it with us here. There is space. They could build apartments and grant us the right to decent housing, which we would pay for," he asserted.
Families have held peaceful demonstrations for days, demanding realistic alternatives. They criticize the landowner, who recently raised the rents, for not proposing a relocation plan that addresses the needs of the current residents.
"This is not fair. We have paid our rent on time for years. We are not asking for anything to be given to us, just the right to continue living with dignity," explained the protester.
The situation reflects a growing trend in Miami, where high housing costs and real estate speculation are displacing vulnerable communities. According to residents, the planned project for the land will include rental apartment buildings, but it does not guarantee access for the displaced families.
As the deadline approaches, those affected are determined to continue fighting until they achieve a fair solution. Meanwhile, the protests in Sweetwater have become a wake-up call regarding the housing crisis impacting the region.
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