Two weeks before the closure, 200 families remain in the mobile home park in Sweetwater, Miami

The Lil Abner mobile home park, located in Sweetwater, Miami-Dade, is in its final days of existence.

With less than two weeks remaining until the official eviction deadline, 200 trailers still stand, most with their residents inside, who are enduring uncertainty, anxiety, and increasingly difficult conditions.

For years, over 900 families found in this place an affordable housing alternative amid the relentless rise in rental prices in Miami. Today, that space has become a symbol of uprooting and urban displacement.

The demolition began in March, and since then, the landscape of the park has changed drastically.

Families Between Despair and Hope

Mirka Salinas, one of those still present at the location, nostalgically recalls the days when the park provided tranquility and stability to families. But now, she claims to live in fear and constant stress.

Reports indicate that the environment is unbreathable, that the water may be contaminated, and that one cannot stay outside the mobile homes without feeling the effects on health.

"We are very stressed and we don’t know if it’s because of the stress or the approaching date, but our health is being affected," she said to América TeVe.

Neighbors like Juan Arcia and his wife Dania, who have lived in the area for 12 years, still haven't found a place to move to despite their search.

"We don't even know where we're going. We're here waiting, unaware of what fate has in store for us. One reaches a certain age, and when this happens to you, it feels as if you're bound hand and foot," he said.

The imminent closure and legal actions

In November 2024, the residents were formally notified of the park's closure. They were offered compensation to assist with their relocation.

The deadline to leave the area is May 19. Since then, the park administration has issued constant reminders and has begun the demolition of the vacated homes.

In light of the situation, a group of residents who still live there hired a legal team and filed a petition in court to request more time, but so far they have not received a response.

The lawyers representing nearly 250 families have reported the abandonment of the area, the accumulation of garbage, insecurity, and the lack of minimum conditions, which they claim contributed to a recent fire in the park.

According to their statements, the incident may have been caused by individuals who were illegally occupying already abandoned units.

The value of the land and the new project

Lil Abner Park is located in a strategic area of Miami-Dade County, just minutes away from important academic centers such as Florida International University and Miami Dade College, as well as shopping centers and the airport. This location makes it a highly sought-after site for real estate development.

The company that owns the park, CREI Holdings, has proposed a new development that would include next-generation housing, a community center, medical facilities, and green areas.

The park manager, represented by Urban Group, affirmed that they have followed the protocols established by the county and that access has been granted to residents looking to collect personal belongings before the final demolition.

"We are committed to the safety of our community and, following the protocol required by the county, we have initiated the authorized demolition of the unoccupied mobile homes today," the park spokesperson stated.

Government aid and criticisms from residents

The mayor of Sweetwater, José "Pepe" Díaz, announced in November that the city was working to connect families with social housing programs, offering subsidies for two months of rent, legal guidance, and access to temporary shelters.

However, many residents believe that the aid has been inadequate and does not address the scale of the problem.

On social media and local media, images of protests and confrontations with the police have spread, as the residents express feeling abandoned by the authorities.

The municipal administration has reiterated that the land is private property and that, by law, they cannot prevent the owner from developing new projects on it.

Mobility in an increasingly inaccessible city

This case reflects an increasingly common reality in South Florida: the gradual disappearance of affordable housing, displacing working families who cannot compete with the widespread rise in rents.

As the machines move among the debris and the days go by, the residents of Lil Abner park cling to the hope of a solution that will allow them to start anew, without losing their dignity or being sidelined in a city that is slowly shutting them out.

Frequently Asked Questions about the eviction from the Li'l Abner Mobile Home Park in Sweetwater