Mobile Home Park Being Cleared Out for Pricey Homes

Mobile Home Park Being Cleared Out for Pricey Homes


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Sandra Yi ReportingWhen this couple moved into a Salt Lake County Mobile Home Park years ago, they thought they'd never move again. But now they're being cleared out to make way for million dollar homes.

Lee Wicklund, Homeowner: "It's going to be sold and it's the guy with the most money is the guy that's going to win."

In fact, about a 150 families will have to leave. It's set to happen soon and many of them don't know what they'll do or where they'll go.

They live in the Meadows Mobile Home Estates in Cottonwwood Heights. Dozens of luxury homes could be built there.

This area in Cottonwood Heights is surrounded by luxury homes, and the area where the mobile home park sits is prime real estate. That's putting people there in a tough situation.

Richard Wicklund: "We are totally happy here."

For Richard and Lee Wicklund, this is a dream home.

Lee Wicklund: "I picked everything out, the floors, the walls, the countertops, the backsplash, everything."

They've lived at the Meadows Mobile Home Estates for 10 years. Now they could lose it all.

Richard Wicklund: "We told the manager when we moved in, 'When we leave, we're going out feet first.' But it doesn't look like that's going to happen."

Homeowners say they were promised the land couldn't be sold. Many of them have lived there for decades. So they were shocked to learn plans are in the works for a developer to build luxury homes here.

That means more than 100 families, many of them single parents and the elderly, will have to find a new place to live.

Virginia Marrufo-Martinez, Community Action Program: "The biggest concern is they have older trailers, they have mortgages, and some people have disabilities. They're on limited income."

The Mayor of Cottonwood Heights says the city plans to work with homeowners. He discussed their options at this meeting today.

Kelvyn Cullimore, Mayor of Cottonwood Heights: "And what we want to do is try and help them identify the resources that can help them get through this the best they can."

It's little comfort for the Wicklunds who don't have the 20 thousand dollars to move their home. They feel helpless.

Lee Wicklund: "We're between a rock and a hard spot."

The couple may move to an apartment in Southern Utah, but it won't be the home they've grown to love.

Lee Wickund: "This is the home I thought I was going to live the rest of my lif in."

The sale is expected to close in August. The developer is willing to work out packages to help residents with the cost of moving. Community advocates are working with homeowners as well.

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