Residents of Lake Runnymeade Mobile Home Park Struggle with Contaminated Water and Management Neglect

Residents of Lake Runnymeade Mobile Home Park Struggle with Water Crisis

St. Cloud, FL – For nearly a year, residents of Lake Runnymeade Mobile Home Park have faced a daily battle with their water supply, turning on faucets only to be met with discolored water that often carries the unmistakable stench of rotten eggs. In many cases, the taps yield nothing at all, leaving families scrambling for alternatives.

Angela Silas, a resident of the park for 13 years, described the situation as “H-E-double hockey sticks.” She recounted the desperate measures families have taken, including using buckets of slimy green liquid from the park’s unchlorinated pool to flush toilets. “I had to go out and get water bottles just so we could wash our hands,” Silas said. “The kids couldn’t take showers until 10:30 at night.”

Residents attribute the ongoing water issues to malfunctioning pumps, which park management claims are frequently tripped by electrical problems. Despite reaching out to local and state officials for assistance, residents say their pleas have largely gone unanswered. While the state has begun monitoring water quality in the park and insists it is safe to drink, many residents remain skeptical. Increasing rents and a lack of affordable housing options leave them feeling trapped.

Lake Runnymeade, a corporate-owned park with approximately 70 lots, has become a focal point for advocacy efforts aimed at improving conditions for mobile home residents. State Rep. Paula Stark, R-Kissimmee, was inspired by the plight of Lake Runnymeade residents to pass legislation aimed at empowering mobile home dwellers in disputes with management. However, Stark’s efforts have not fully addressed the challenges faced by residents in corporate-owned parks like Lake Runnymeade.

“These big companies are buying mobile home parks across the country, and all they see is a return on the dollar,” Stark said. “They’re not taking care of the residents.”

Originally built in 1975, Lake Runnymeade was sold several years ago to a Delaware-based corporation affiliated with Alden Global Capital, which owns numerous mobile home parks nationwide. Voicemail messages left at the park’s office went unanswered, and a call to the office manager was abruptly disconnected.

With over 835,000 park residents in Florida, the state has the highest number of mobile home dwellers in the nation. Stark’s recent legislation, which took effect on July 1, encourages mediation for disputes between mobile homeowners and park owners. However, Stark acknowledges that the new law may not benefit Lake Runnymeade residents, as the park’s management is not part of the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, which provides some oversight.

Regulating mobile home parks remains a complex issue in Florida. Jim Ayotte, executive director of the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, noted that while many older manufactured housing communities provide affordable housing, situations like those at Lake Runnymeade tarnish the industry’s reputation.

Stark is currently working on new legislation to enhance protections for mobile home owners and grant the state greater enforcement powers. Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has issued citations to Homes of America for failing to notify residents of water quality issues and has been conducting regular monitoring of the park’s water supply.

Despite assurances from state officials that the water is safe, residents continue to experience problems with taste, smell, and reliability. Kathy Jo, a resident since 2019, brings home gallon jugs of water from work to ensure her family has clean water for cooking and drinking. “You never know what it’s going to taste like when you do have to brush your teeth or wash your face,” Jo lamented. “It either smells like rotten eggs or it smells like straight bleach.”

As the water crisis at Lake Runnymeade persists, residents are left grappling with uncertainty and frustration, hoping for a resolution that seems increasingly elusive.