Li’l Abner Mobile Home Park Faces Eviction Deadline Amid Resident Lawsuits, Protests

Residents of Li'l Abner Mobile Home Park in Sweetwater, Florida, face a final eviction deadline as demolition continues to make way for new workforce housing developments, despite ongoing protests and legal challenges. Once home to around 5,000 residents, only about 1,000 remain, many of whom are part of a class action lawsuit accusing the property owners and Miami-Dade County of improper eviction procedures and inadequate relocation support. Concerns have been raised about unsafe demolition practices, including the presence of asbestos, with county inspections confirming hazardous materials in demolished homes and residents reporting health issues. The property owners deny any safety violations and state that demolition is proceeding in compliance with county regulations, though they have faced significant fines for asbestos violations. Some residents, many with decades-long ties to the community, refuse to leave without a court order, expressing uncertainty and despair about displacement and limited housing alternatives. Financial incentives offered by the park owner have not alleviated residents' fears, as legal battles continue and the threat of forced removal looms.