CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Charlottesville officials and nonprofits are collaborating to address the potential sale of Carlton Mobile Home Park, a crucial source of affordable housing. An offer of $7 million has alarmed both residents and locals. “As you look over the last 10 years of housing data, the percentage of Americans living in mobile homes has more than doubled,” said Quinton Beckham, principal broker for KW Alliance. 

City Councilor Michael Payne and City Manager Sam Sanders have initiated talks with nonprofits like Legal Aid and Habitat for Humanity to explore solutions. Beckham highlighted the potential impact of displacement: “When you look at the age of, you know, some of the folks have lived there for 20 plus years, a 20-year-old mobile home that has sat in one spot is not going to be movable.” 

With $10 million allocated annually for affordable housing, the city aims to preserve Carlton Mobile Home Park and prevent displacement of its residents. Beckham added, “Mobile home parks are one of the often missed, completely unfunded barriers to homelessness for folks that are on fixed income that are otherwise stable.” 

The community’s efforts highlight the importance of affordable housing and the need to protect vulnerable populations from displacement. 

You can listen to the full conversation here: