We all know that media groups have to peddle stories, but not since the prime of Jerry Springer have article titles been so lacking in credentials. Although the writer was unable to insert space aliens into the title, or a sighting of Big Foot, it still contains plenty of fantasy. So let’s break it down into easy, truthful pieces.
Trailer parks do contain many folks with low incomes.
About 30% (not the 39% referenced in the article) of Americans have a household income of $30,000 per year or less. That’s a serious issue, since the poverty line for a family of four is $20,000 per year. Since 2008, the U.S. has been stuck in the Great Recession, and something like 50% of the jobs created over that time are minimum wage. We are yet to know of a single member of the Forbes 400 living in a mobile home park. So we agree with that statement in the title.
Sex offenders are only allowed in “sex offender parks” normally – which excludes most everyone else
Out of the 44,000 mobile home parks in the U.S. very few, if any, allow sex offenders to live on their property. Why should they? Sex offenders are not protected as a group under HUD, so nobody lets them move in. However, there are parks in the U.S. – particularly in Florida – that cater to this groups and declare themselves a “sex offender park”. These parks are clearly marked. They do not allow children anywhere near them, and most adults choose to live elsewhere. There are no cases in the U.S. were people are “forced” to live among sex offenders, unless they chose to do so themselves.
Felons are everywhere – not just in mobile home parks
While nobody in a mobile home park is forced to live among felons, there is no question that there are as many convicted felons living in a mobile home park as a subdivision or apartment complex. The concept is that they are supposed to be “redeemed” when released from prison, or at the end of their suspended sentence. Just ask Martha Stewart’s and Tim Allen’s neighbors.
Owners are cashing in, but not for the reasons given
Mobile home park owners are a lucky group, as the Great Recession has turned the U.S. economy into a continuous disaster and created a huge amount of people needing affordable housing. And that does not even count the 10,000 per day baby boomers who are retiring and downsizing their housing. These two forces have put a huge force into demand for mobile homes in parks, and that has thrust mobile home parks to the forefront of real estate. But it’s not because of “’forcing people to live with sex offenders and felons”. In fact, that would reduce the demand and actually cause owners to not be cashing in on the demand for affordable housing. So the statement is half right and half stupid.
Conclusion
If you are bored and want to find absurd article titles, I guess you can look no further than articles about mobile home parks. If you’re looking for the truth about the mobile home park industry, go to www.MobileHomeUniversity.com.