Florida Considers Aid for Mobile Home Owners as Parks Close

New legislation aims to help residents facing rising land lease rates and displacement

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Florida House is considering a bill that would make it easier for local governments to provide financial assistance to mobile home owners struggling with rising land lease rates as mobile home parks like Li'l Abner in Sweetwater close to make way for new developments. The bill would loosen restrictions on the use of State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program funds, allowing more of the money to go towards supporting manufactured housing owners.

Why it matters

The closure of the Li'l Abner Mobile Home Park in Sweetwater displaced around 3,000 residents, many of whom were seniors and low-income individuals. This legislation is an attempt to address the growing crisis facing mobile home owners in Florida, where land lease rates have been increasing without corresponding income increases for residents.

The details

House Bill 267 and its Senate counterpart, Senate Bill 594, would classify land lease rates as a housing-related activity, potentially making residents earning less than 140% of the area median income eligible for up to six months of land rent assistance. The bills also mandate that local governments develop plans to assist those affected by mobile home park closures, though they don't specify details like increased relocation payments beyond the existing $3,000 to $6,000 state guarantee.

  • The Florida House is currently considering House Bill 267.
  • Senate Bill 594 was approved by the Florida Senate on Wednesday.

The players

House Bill 267

A bill being considered in the Florida House that would loosen restrictions on the use of State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program funds to support mobile home owners.

Senate Bill 594

The Senate counterpart to House Bill 267, which was approved by the Florida Senate on Wednesday.

Li'l Abner Mobile Home Park

A mobile home park in Sweetwater, Florida that closed, displacing approximately 3,000 residents.

Senator Colleen Burton

A Florida state senator who explained that residents have consistently reported increasing rents without corresponding income increases.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Residents have consistently reported increasing rents without corresponding income increases.”

— Senator Colleen Burton

What’s next

If passed, the provisions of the bill would take effect on July 1.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to address the growing crisis facing mobile home owners in Florida, where the closure of parks like Li'l Abner has displaced thousands of residents, many of whom are seniors and low-income individuals. By loosening restrictions on SHIP funding, the state hopes to provide more financial assistance to these vulnerable residents.