Life in Crisis: The Struggles of Families in Investor-Owned Mobile Home Parks in Tampa Bay

Title: Life in Limbo: Families Struggle Amid Termite Infestations and Corporate Ownership in Gibsonton Mobile Home Parks

Gibsonton, FL — Jennifer Rivera Cruz thought she was moving her family to a fresh start when they relocated to Waterside Mobile Home Park. But within days, she found herself battling an unexpected foe: a relentless swarm of termites. The infestation quickly turned their new home into a nightmare, leaving Cruz, her wife Dena Guzman, and their three children feeling overwhelmed and desperate.

“We would wake up every day at 2, 3 o’clock in the morning, feeling stuff walking in my hair, on my face,” Cruz recounted, her voice trembling with emotion. The couple, who had previously endured similar conditions in another park owned by the same company, pleaded with their landlord for help. When their requests went unanswered, they decided to withhold rent until the termites were exterminated. A month later, they were evicted.

Their story is not unique. Twelve current and former tenants of various mobile home parks in the area shared similar experiences with the Tampa Bay Times, highlighting a troubling pattern of neglect and exploitation under the ownership of Alden Global Capital, an investment firm notorious for its aggressive business practices.

Since 2022, Alden has acquired approximately 40 mobile home parks in Hillsborough County, capitalizing on a market where rising interest rates have deterred other investors. The firm’s reputation for “vulture capitalism” — buying distressed assets, slashing budgets, and maximizing short-term profits — has raised alarms among housing advocates. Experts warn that corporate investors like Alden often target vulnerable populations, including immigrants and low-income families, who have few housing options.

Before Alden’s acquisition, tenants reported issues such as termite infestations, rat problems, and raw sewage. Court data indicates that many of these parks already had high eviction rates. A report from the Private Equity Stakeholder Project revealed that Florida has the highest concentration of private equity-owned mobile home parks in the country, with Alden owning 63 parks statewide.

“Given that there’s already a shortage of affordable housing, it’s very concerning that not just Alden but any kind of corporate investors are buying up these parks,” said Jordan Ash, the nonprofit’s director of housing.

Residents like Cruz and Guzman often feel trapped, fearing retaliation for speaking out. Many live on weekly leases, making it difficult to find new homes if they are evicted. “They do take advantage of people, and it’s not fair,” Cruz lamented.

Randall D. Smith, the founder of Alden Global Capital, has built a reputation for acquiring struggling businesses and extracting profits, often at the expense of employees and communities. The firm’s history includes mass layoffs at local newspapers and the shuttering of Greyhound bus stations, with plans for redevelopment following closures.

In the mobile home sector, Alden’s strategy has led to significant rent increases and deteriorating living conditions. Residents from North Carolina to Michigan have reported similar issues, including threats of eviction and skyrocketing rents after Alden took over their parks.

In Gibsonton, the situation has become dire. Residents have documented complaints about pest infestations, sewage issues, and mold, yet many feel powerless to effect change. Dolly Rogers, a former resident, described living in a park with a leaking roof and moldy insulation, where management provided only temporary fixes to ongoing problems.

“Things need to change,” said Florida Rep. Paula Stark, who has been advocating for reforms in mobile home park regulations. Stark’s recent legislation aims to improve conditions for residents, but she acknowledges that corporate ownership complicates matters, creating layers of bureaucracy that make it difficult for tenants to seek help.

As the housing crisis deepens, families like Cruz and Guzman continue to navigate the challenges of finding safe, affordable housing. After their eviction, they faced numerous rejections while searching for a new place to live, their applications often denied due to the stigma of eviction.

“I feel like we’re stuck in a cycle,” Guzman said, reflecting on their struggles. “People treat you different.”

Despite the hardships, the couple eventually found a new home in an Auburndale park, but the journey has left them grappling with the emotional and financial toll of their experience. As they rebuild their lives, they remain hopeful for a future free from the shadows of corporate greed and neglect.

For many residents in Gibsonton and beyond, the fight for safe and stable housing continues, as they seek to reclaim their dignity and secure a better future for their families.