TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PASS LEGISLATION ASSISTING MOBILE HOME PARK TENANTS AND RESIDENTS WHEN MOBILE HOME PARKS ARE REDEVELOPED

BODY
WHEREAS, the unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County currently has about 8,000 mobile home units; and
WHEREAS, more than half of these mobile homes are in District 2; and
WHEREAS, these units provide a much-needed supply of affordable housing for people who in many cases cannot afford other types of housing; and
WHEREAS, due to development pressures during recent years and the escalating cost of land value, many mobile home park owners are converting such parks to other more financially lucrative developments; and
WHEREAS, such conversions have exacerbated the existing shortage of affordable housing in Miami-Dade County and led to the potential for increased homelessness; and
WHEREAS, current state law does not provide enough protection or relief for current mobile home owners or tenants residing in mobile home parks; and
WHEREAS, on April 22, 2008, this Board passed Resolution No. 442-08, which urged the Florida Legislature to require current long-term mobile home park tenants to be given the right of first refusal to purchase individual mobile home park parcels when the underlying mobile home park properties are subdivided or change in the use of the land; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 442-08 was effective for both the 2008 and 2009 state legislative sessions; and
WHEREAS, additional legislation could further assist mobile home residents who are required to relocate,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to pass legislation assisting mobile home residents when mobile home parks are redeveloped, including:
� Providing additional funding at the state level for affordable housing.
� Increasing the amount of reimbursement currently available to displaced residents for relocation from the State Relocation Trust Fund and allow for adjustments to reflect current market conditions.
� Extending the time beyond 45 days that is currently allowed for First Right of Refusal by a mobile home park homeowners� association when a park is for sale.
� Allowing for longer notice period for eviction in case of sale of the property.
� Providing financial incentives to park owners to convert to owner occupied parks and for affordable housing on mobile home park sites; and
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor, the Senate President, the House Speaker, and the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade County State Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County's state lobbyists to advocate for the passage of the legislation set forth in Section 1 above, and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2009 State Legislative Package.