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Largo plans stricter, clearer relocation rules for mobile-home parks to limit displacement
Summary
Staff proposed a full repeal and replacement of Chapter 19 to standardize relocation plans, require neighborhood meetings, create a developer escrow relocation fund and set calculation standards (SHIP and HUD fair-market rent) for supplemental rent assistance and lump-sum options.
City planners presented a comprehensive rewrite of Chapter 19 on Sept. 9 that would change how mobile‑home-park redevelopment and resident relocation are handled.
What staff proposed: Planning staff (Speaker 8) described a repeal-and-replace of Chapter 19 that formalizes an application process and a relocation-plan form to identify "suitable and adequate" replacement housing within a 10-mile radius, standardizes how developers calculate deposits into a relocation escrow using the state SHIP maximum rent limits and HUD fair-market rents by ZIP code, and preserves a 6‑month minimum eviction period required by Florida law. The draft also creates a supplemental rent-assistance program and preserves a 15% admin fee (already in the code) to cover city administration.
Why it matters: Staff said the code change aims to reduce inconsistent outcomes across past park closures, ensure residents receive consistent information and assistance, and provide options (monthly assistance or lump-sum payments) that allow displaced mobile homeowners to buy another mobile home or secure rental housing. Commissioners asked how the calculations compare to previous methods; staff said the proposed method is more transparent and uses standardized, annually updated benchmarks.
Key protections and examples: Staff proposed residency verification to prevent second‑home claims, clarified ineligibility for applicants with eviction cases filed against them, extended application timing for assistance to 45 days before the eviction period ends (instead of the current 90 days), and provided an example two‑bedroom calculation that produced a sample deposit around $17,000 per unit for a 24‑month assistance scenario.
Timeline: Staff suggested planning-board review in November and final adoption in January. Commissioners asked staff to ensure administrative clarity for hardship repairs after named storms and to coordinate outreach to affected residents.
