Evictions of mobile home settlements
Residents of a Dripping Springs trailer park at risk of becoming homeless are asking for more time after being given 60 days to vacate their homes.
DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – Residents of a Dripping Springs trailer park at risk of becoming homeless are asking for more time after being given 60 days to vacate their homes.
A letter was sent to 36 families at Gateway Estates Mobile Home Park in Dripping Springs.
“There are some people who have been here for over 20 years,” said Martin Garza, president of Project Connect Dripping Springs.
The letter said residents must vacate the building within 60 days.
“On the other end of this communication are families and children,” Garza said.
The notice came on July 29, 2024, just weeks before the first day of school for the nearly 60 children who live in the park.
“To suddenly get this devastating news was terrible,” Garza said.
Residents and community members voiced their concerns and frustrations at the Dripping Springs City Council meeting in August.
“We feel like this is vulture capitalism at its worst,” said Gateway Estates resident Jim Luketich.
Dripping Springs Mayor Bill Foulds told community members at the meeting that no redevelopment plans have been presented to the city at this time. Residents said they are hoping for more time to figure out where they will go.
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“Giving anyone 60 days to get their mobile home off their property, let alone find a place, and certainly not find one in Dripping Springs,” said Chuck Lemmond, vice president of Hometown Missions.
“Some may be moved, some may be sold on the spot and then the buyer moves somewhere else. Every situation is different depending on the family living in the home they live in,” Garza said.
It is estimated that transporting a mobile home to a new location will cost around $20,000.
“Most of these families don’t have that much money,” Garza said.
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Because of this situation, some people are at risk of becoming homeless.
“The question is whether they need the community’s help or whether they are facing this situation themselves,” Garza said.
After a meeting between community members and developer Santeal Enterprises on Friday, it now appears to be clear that residents will not have to pay rent while they work on a plan to move out.
“Relocating 36 families will be a huge effort,” Garza said.
The developer did not respond to FOX 7’s calls about its plans for the property and when trespass notices may be sent if residents do not move.
To help families, there is a GoFundMe fundraiser and a Project Connect donation link.
