Li’l Abner Trailer Home Park Residents Fight Against Rezoning Evictions

Home ownership has historically served to protect people from market volatility. 

Unfortunately, for the residents of Li’l Abner Trailer Home Park, which is located at 11239 N.W. 4th Terrace, that is not the case. 

Residents awoke on Nov. 14 to eviction notices posted on their doors, stating they must leave their mobile homes by May 19, 2025, because the trailer park is slated to be rezoned. 

In an article published for the Miami Herald, economic mobility reporter Max Klaver explains that Florida law requires CREI Holdings, the owner of Li’l Abner, to offer tenants financial assistance for their relocation—$3,000 for single-section mobile homes and $6,000 for multi-section mobile homes. 

The company has promised an additional $14,000 to anyone who leaves by Jan. 31, $7,000 to those who leave by March 31 and $3,000 to those who hang on until April 30.

When the average rent in Miami is approximately $2,118 per month, according to Apartments.com, the offer is paltry at best and disrespectful at worst. 

More than 900 trailers are currently in the park housing a diverse group of highly vulnerable populations, including low-income residents, people with disabilities, children and the elderly.

Although many residents actually own their trailers, they do not own the land beneath them.

The events taking place are legal under Florida State Code 723.061(d) 2., which states that residents may be evicted—with at least six-months notice—when a change in land-use is projected to take place.

On Nov. 18, a protest took place in front of Sweetwater City Hall. City commissioners met for the first time since the notices were posted while demonstrators gathered to make their voices heard. Across the street, police officers guarded the entrance to City Hall.

Eventually, the protest moved into the main trailer park and efforts to formally adopt a Homeowners’ Association began in an attempt to give some bargaining power to those affected. 

However, collection efforts were disorganized and confusion broke out regarding who the paperwork was going to.

Vuvuzelas, bucket drums and defiant chants rang out into the night as tenants marched up to the intersection of West Flagler and 112th Street.

Tensions continued to rise as the residents of Li’l Abner aired their grievances over a small karaoke set up by a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. 

On Dec. 4, 61-year-old Vivian Hernandez was arrested while submitting her rent check at Li’l Abner’s management office, after expressing her frustrations about the eviction, CBS News reported. She was charged with disorderly conduct, breach of peace, trespassing and resisting arrest.

In an Instagram post by OnlyInDade, an officer is seen using force when arresting Hernandez, who failed to comply with orders to leave the office.

The residents of Li’l Abner deserve better.

Those who wish to get involved can participate in demonstrations, read relevant laws, and pressure state and local representatives to listen. Sweetwater resides in Florida’s 27th Congressional District and State House District 116. 

Let’s make sure the people in power know how we feel.