Many families are grappling with the impending shutdown of the Li'l Abner mobile home park in Sweetwater, Miami-Dade County, prompting them to seek answers from social housing offices. The mass eviction, scheduled for May 2025, threatens to displace 900 families, sparking a crisis and leading to long lines at the Sweetwater city hall's housing assistance office.
"We received a $50 food voucher. That barely covers one meal," one frustrated resident remarked while waiting for help from religious organization volunteers, housing officials, and the county's Department of Children and Families. Among those affected are Cuban residents of the park, who voiced feelings of humiliation at having to "beg" the U.S. government for relocation assistance, a process they deem unfair.
Mayor's Promises Fall Short of Residents' Demands
Sweetwater Mayor José “Pepe” Díaz has pledged to connect families with social housing programs and community organizations. Proposed measures include rental subsidies for two months, legal counseling, and access to temporary shelters. However, many residents argue these solutions do not adequately address the loss of their homes and the daunting prospect of navigating Miami’s increasingly unaffordable rental market.
Faced with a lack of concrete solutions, Li'l Abner residents have started organizing and told Univisión Noticias they are prepared for daily protests. They understand the landowners' right to sell or redevelop the area, but the situation is devastating their lives and dismantling a long-standing community. Families demand that authorities intervene to ensure fair compensation and a relocation plan that preserves their economic and emotional stability.
So far, Miami-Dade County has not provided a decisive response, and existing social housing programs might not suffice to offer a comprehensive solution.
The Strategic Value of the Land and Starting Anew
Li'l Abner mobile home park occupies a strategically valuable location in Miami-Dade, mere minutes from universities, shopping centers, and major thoroughfares. This prime position has attracted developers eager to build modern housing, schools, medical centers, and community spaces. While the project promises long-term benefits for the area, current residents feel excluded from this vision.
The park management has offered incentives of up to $14,000 for those who leave by January 2025, yet these are seen as inadequate given the high costs of relocation in a saturated and expensive real estate market. Most affected families have resigned themselves to leaving their homes—and with them, the lives they know. Many are preparing to relocate outside Miami, distancing themselves from jobs, schools, and support networks, and facing an uncertain future.