At least one resident at Hilltop Mobile Home Park who is actively petitioning against the closure and redevelopment of the community told 6News that he has been threatened by the owners and has received an immediate eviction notice.

Matt Rooke said he has been looking into different options after the owners mailed out notices to more than 100 residents last month, notifying them that the property was being sold off to a redeveloper and that everyone has until the end of February to relocate.
 
“We came up with an idea; we connected with some national organizations with this concept of resident cooperative ownership. They actually have financing available for that,” said Rooke. “They’re from out of town; they’re not here on the ground. They don’t see how this is affecting the families here. So I wrote them, telling them what is happening. That got back to the owners and that’s what really angered them and caused them to specifically come after us and say we’re going to kick you out because of this.”
 
Several people who live at Hilltop Mobile Home Park told 6News that that they’ve been told it is a $6 million deal for a redeveloper to build a student housing complex on the property.

The owner told 6News off-camera that he can no longer keep the family-run business operation and that he is offering $4,000 relief assistance for tenants to tow their mobile home off the property before the deadline.

Scott Ames said struggling families are having a tough time finding affordable housing in Happy Valley and that several people have already packed up and left the area.
“(My mobile home) was built in 1969. As soon as it moves, it’s done. It’s worthless,” said Ames. “They’re going to be sent away.”

For more information about an online petition and the pending Manufactured Home Communities Rights Act, visit http://savehilltop.org/