VERO BEACH — Andrea Adkins, 57, is scared she will be evicted from her home in Vero Mobile Home Park. She is a survivor of domestic violence, lives on $900 per month and has a service animal.
Her landlord, Jimmy Schlitt, owes the city $263,750 in code-violation fines — which has accumulated at $50 per day from Jan. 1, 2011, to June 10, according to City Clerk Sherri Philo.
The city is looking to foreclose on the property, 1228 24th St., to correct the violations and collect the fines.
“It’s really scary. I don’t know where I will go if I get kicked out,” Adkins said. “I’ve looked everywhere, even in other states, for housing I can afford. There is basically nothing.”
Code violations
Adkins pays $450 per month, and Schlitt has completed every repair she’s needed on her trailer.
But, according to the city, Schlitt must remove 17 of the 47 trailers on the property, move remaining trailers 20 feet apart and clear the right-of-way of obstructions. Schlitt estimates removing one trailer costs $15,000 — or $255,000 for 17. The value of the park is $479,818, according to the county Property Appraiser’s Office.
Many of the trailers are just feet apart.
“The park could pose a safety concern,” said City Councilmember Aaron Vos. “We have codes in place for the safety of the residents, and it’s imperative they are followed.”
Schlitt said he bought the property in 2001 in its current condition.
“That’s the nature of low-income housing,” explained Schlitt. “But there is no place locally that people can have a roof over their head for that price.”
Foreclosure process
The City Council unanimously voted June 10 to start the foreclosure process. City Attorney John Turner said he anticipates going to court in August, and will ask that the city’s liens take priority.
A trial could last around 16 months, and if the city prevails, the park will go up for auction. Proceeds would go first towards paying the liens. If there’s money left, it would go to Schlitt, according to Turner.
The city would not take ownership at any point, he said.
“We have a responsibility to our taxpayers to collect code-enforcement fines,” said Turner. “Property owners have the responsibility to pay those fines and correct violations. All city residents are held to the same standard.”
Schlitt — who said he learned of the City Council action from a reporter — said he’s ready to fight the city.
“This is going to be a circus in court,” Schlitt predicted. “I have evidence to back up why I should keep it, and it’s in the best interest of my residents that I do.”
A new owner would be required to correct the violations, but it’s unknown what would happen to the tenants during the foreclosure process. State law protects mobile home residents, including limiting evictions until a resident can find similar housing situations, according to Turner.
That gives Adkins little comfort.
“We still don’t know what a new owner will do,” said Adkins. “I don’t want to be homeless. I got so lucky when I found this place.”
Nick Slater is TCPalm’s Indian River County Watchdog reporter. You can reach him at Nick.Slater@tcpalm.com and 224-830-2875.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Vero Mobile Home Park staring down foreclosure; owner says he’ll fight it
Reporting by Nick Slater, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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