News Summary
The Gateway Mobile Home Park in Pinellas County has been declared significantly damaged, requiring residents to either elevate their homes or face demolition. This situation has created distress, especially among the senior residents, many of whom are on fixed incomes. County officials have assured that assistance is available to help homeowners repair or elevate their homes using a recently allocated $813 million in grants. As the community navigates these challenges, volunteer support has emerged to help those affected by recent hurricanes.
St. Petersburg, FL – The Gateway Mobile Home Park in Pinellas County has been declared significantly damaged, raising concerns among residents about the future of their homes. Following recent assessments, many residents have been informed that they must either elevate their homes or face demolition. This has created a sense of urgency and alarm, particularly among the senior residents for whom the community is designed.
Located off Gandy Boulevard and 4th Street North, the Gateway Mobile Home Park serves individuals aged 55 and older. Many of these residents rely on fixed incomes, making the prospect of extensive repairs or relocations stressful, both financially and emotionally. Reports indicate that some residents are experiencing health-related issues stemming from the uncertainty of their situations.
Among the affected residents is Bonnie Sisco, who moved to the park 15 years ago after retiring from Cornell University. Following county assessments, her home was determined to be over 49% damaged, prompting her to receive a notification from Pinellas County regarding the potential loss of her home. In response, Sisco has chosen to appeal the determination through a special magistrate, seeking a hearing to challenge the county’s assessment.
Initially, there were concerns that 235 homes within the Gateway Mobile Home Park were considered substantially damaged. However, after further inspections, this number was revised down to approximately 135. This adjustment has provided some relief to residents, although many still face difficult decisions ahead. To mitigate the impact on residents, Pinellas County has extended compliance deadlines to June 1, 2026, offering some time for homeowners to address the required changes.
In an effort to support the community, Pinellas County has allocated $813 million in community development grants specifically aimed at assisting homeowners with mobile homes that have suffered substantial damage. These funds are intended to help residents repair or elevate their homes to meet safety standards and avoid potential displacement.
County officials have reassured residents that there is no intent to vacate mobile home communities altogether, emphasizing their importance as a viable housing option in the region. Despite these assurances, residents continue to voice concerns over the safety and livability of their homes, with reports stating that some units have succumbed to mold and other hazardous conditions.
As the situation develops, community volunteers have stepped up to assist those affected by the recent back-to-back hurricanes that exacerbated structural damages across the area. These volunteers are helping residents by moving damaged belongings and delivering food, highlighting the spirit of solidarity in the face of adversity.
In a separate but related incident, Pinellas County Fire Rescue responded promptly to a fire at the Village Green Mobile Home Park, successfully containing the blaze and preventing it from spreading to adjacent homes. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the fire, but the incident further underscores the vulnerabilities that mobile home residents face in times of crisis.
The ongoing situation in the Gateway Mobile Home Park serves as a critical reminder of the challenges that many low-income and elderly residents encounter after natural disasters. As they navigate these hurdles, the community remains focused on finding solutions and securing the assistance they require to ensure their homes remain safe and habitable.
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Additional Resources
- WFLA: Pinellas County Mobile Home Owners
- Wikipedia: Mobile home
- Fox 13 News: St. Pete Mobile Home Fire
- Google Search: Mobile home fires
- WTSP: Volunteers Help Residents
- Google Scholar: Natural disasters and mobile homes
- St. Pete Rising: Affordable Housing Plans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Affordable Housing
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
