Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville to make counter-offer on Carlton mobile home park

An organization that has twice been involved with redeveloping mobile home parks in the community will now take a lead role in attempting to preserve a third.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville announced last week they would counter a $7 million offer for the 6.46 acre Carlton Mobile Home Park. They did so after meeting with residents with the Legal Aid Justice Center and the Piedmont Housing Alliance. 

“Per state law, any sale of a trailer park is contingent upon the park owner considering any offers from a tenant group, representing 25 percent or more of existing tenants received by the owner within 60 days after the notification was given,” reads the press release sent out afternoon on July 26. 

That notice was given by the Bolton family on June 7. The Charlottesville City Council discussed potential support at a recent meeting and over 40 percent of residents signed the petition. At the meeting, they also asked for two conditions:

• The space will remain a mobile home park for at least three years
• Rent increases will be capped at 5 percent or $15, whichever is lower

In a statement, Habitat CEO Dan Rosensweig said this will be difficult for the organization given the need to pull financing together by August 6.

“We and our partners feel deeply that, given the enormous stakes for the families, we have a moral and ethical imperative to do everything we can to prevent displacement,” Rosensweig said.

Habitat previously redeveloped Sunrise Park as a mixed-income community on Carlton Avenue in Charlottesville and continues to lead the development and redevelopment of Southwood Mobile Home Park. 

The release does not indicate how much funding may be made available from the city. 

Last year, City Council agreed to provide $5 million to the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority to help with a purchase of the 74 units in the Dogwood Housing portfolio. Council also agreed to purchase 405 Avon Street from CRHA for $4 million in a deal that allows the public housing authority to continue to use the space and to participate in its eventual redevelopment. 

The 6.46 acre property is assessed at $2,526,300.

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