Mobile Home Replacement Program

Tommedic · #1 Postby **Tommedic** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:21 am

With all the Mobile Homes that have been damaged or destroyed in the past few weeks, I would like to float an idea that could be passed on to our multi-billionaires out there.

What if, say, only 4 of our multi-billionaires out there would each put up a billion dollars each for a program to replace all the mobile home parks that have been substantially damaged or destroyed with condominiums. If you take their money and add it to insurance payments, subsidized with FEMA money, we could see several things. First, people would be living in sturdier and safer housing units. If new technology was utilized, people could be in homes that are able to withstand larger storms. Preplanning could include the installation of back-up generators prewired into each complex and maintained by the monthly fees (set at what the prior "lot rent" was at time of damage) that would be included as Homewoners Fees. Additionally, this would improve job availability due to construction hires. The billionaires would include these moneys as tax deductable, the government would not have to expend as much money from contingency funds, and everyone could be better off.

I have always felt that no matter who we are, we are blessed with either talent, money, or other blessings for a purpose. AND THAT PURPOSE IS NOT OURSELVES. These people always seem to be willing to pay for the arts, and other types of projects. Why not the people of Florida?

Just an idea.

#2 Postby **Cookiely** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:38 am

I wouldn't live in a condo or townhouse if someone gave it to me!
I posted this on the other mobile home topic.
I'm a fifth generation Floridian and have been raised for the most part in mobile homes. We live in them because its what we can afford. As for the poster who thinks condos are a great idea-FORGET IT. We have lived in apartments, and townhouses and frankly I would rather die than live in one again. Some people are not geared to living in such close proximity to other people. I don't like the lifestyle. I love having a little property. I like yard work and growing things. As a child we moved from a CB home to a mobile home because it had more room and we had property and bought a couple of horses. I didn't ride but I enjoyed taking care of my brother and sisters horses. I just wanted to share my opinion and thoughts concerning mobile homes and why people live in them.

clueless newbie · #3 Postby **clueless newbie** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:46 am

Yeah, I do not understand why some people are pushing for condos. The problem is not that a home is prefabricated, but that it is of lousy construction. That can happen with a 'proper' home too.

The solution is to make sure that ALL newly built homes, whether mobile or not, are able to withstand the expected weather. Sure, it will cost somewhat more, but if done right should not be much more.

Innotech · #4 Postby **Innotech** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:48 am

just remember in a severe flood, something with wheels is morel ikely to move than osmething with solid concrete foundation. Pilings are not solid concrete foundation.

#5 Postby **Cookiely** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:49 am

clueless newbie wrote:Yeah, I do not understand why some people are pushing for condos. The problem is not that a home is prefabricated, but that it is of lousy construction. That can happen with a 'proper' home too.

The solution is to make sure that ALL newly built homes, whether mobile or not, are able to withstand the expected weather. Sure, it will cost somewhat more, but if done right should not be much more.

The answer is safe affordable manufactured homes. Maybe that is an oxymoron. All I know is that there aren't any easy answers.

rockyman · #6 Postby **rockyman** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:15 am

Do a little research...Chicago tried a program of moving lower income people into tall buildings to "save money" and to give a better "quality of life"...Now those same buildings are being demolished...Not that this is exactly the same situation, but the idea that you can force people to live what you consider to be a "better life" never works...I'd much rather have my little shack here on the beach that a beautiful penthouse in one of the many high-rises springing up across the Bay.

I'm not sure that mobile homes could ever be brought "up to code" enough to survive a Charley...although my friends in the manufactured housing industry would beg to differ.

Eyes2theSkies · #7 Postby **Eyes2theSkies** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:26 am

Funny you mentioned Chicago, I just read somewhere they're tearing down Cabrini Green, the notorious high rise project featured in the movie "Candyman"

Persepone · #8 Postby **Persepone** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:12 am

I'll bet that there IS a way to make "manufactured homes" that are safer than today's "mobile homes" in hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.

I can understand why condos are NOT a good substitute for mobile homes for many... I personally would not like to ever go back to living in apartments, having now lived in "stand alone" house. Gardens, ability to make noise at odd hours, etc. If we want to build bookshelves at 1 a.m. no one hears us...

An interim solution might be small shelters on grounds of mobile home parks--anything from "common rooms" to the British Anderson shelters of WWII type structures.

Any architecture students/engineers out there who want to think about solutions to these problems?

Is there a separate thread on these problems that I've missed? Perhaps in different forum? Discussion needs to continue when it's not such an "emergency." Not when people are trying to cope with storms/aftermath but perhaps after the season has ended, etc.

Tommedic · #9 Postby **Tommedic** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:16 pm

Well at least I did get some response. I live in a mobile home on my own property. We have survived Bertha, Bonnie, Fran, Isabel, Floyd, etc. Other than vinyl siding and shingles, no major damage. But I do believe that a permanent home on a solid foundation, especially with a safe room is the way to go if possible.

#10 Postby **wlfpack81** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:44 pm

If you are going to live in a mobile home at least look at the type of weather you have. If you live say here in Oklahoma or anywhere else in the midwest then living in a mobile home wouldn't be the smartest thing (not that being on the 2nd floor of any apt is much better). Same goes for Florida and other areas that are in hurricane zones. Remember it only takes around 55-65mph to severly threaten a mobile home. Get a gust of wind underneath the home and the mobile home can become airborne.

anjou · #11 Postby **anjou** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:08 pm

A few thoughts on this... one very telling pic of Andrew showed foreground a badly-built condo complex. Behind it were several blocks of well-made regular homes, which got damaged due to stuff flying off the condos in the foreground. And in back of that was a totally flattened mobile home park.

1. Wonder about some sort of a mobile home shell... if someone designed one and then the cost of them was subsidized, such that mobile home owners would be incented to use them. I'm thinking like a big 'garage' made of brick or concrete and rebar or something (could make it attractive - somehow) with open areas where standard windows go, etc. I would suspect code, park policies and all that would have to change, and perhaps each manufacturer could offer a basic spec on a shell to go with the design. Then, back up the new home into the 'shell'... (Hey, question, by the way... are those gigantic thermos-shaped mobile homes - the silver ones - the kind pulled behind a truck or something - are they better in bad wind conditions? If you had something that was manufactured more durably, and had better frame specs, including perhaps some option to sturdily affix said trailer into the ground...)

2. For those that choose to live in mobile homes, at least weigh the cost vs. regular homes, and budget to insure well, expecting to lose a home like this every so often. Make alternate plans for your furniture and most prized belongings... be prepared to act early in the event of a storm threatening... and evacuate before it becomes mandataory... pre-plan. (I don't think a lot of people would do all this... but there are ways to mitigate the personal risk of living in a manufactured home, if people just aren't going to want a different kind of home.)

#12 Postby **Terry** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:44 pm

Just go ahead and shoot me.

Mobile ("manufactured") homes, aluminum siding, barrel tile roofs, and condos above five stories on the beach should be banned in FLA.

A reasonably affordable and structurally sound alternative should be encouraged via legislature, tax credits, whatever.

Somewhere in my files are the post Hurricane Donna building code recommendations. I almost fear reading what they said back in the early 60's, which could of/should of been implemented. (one thing, I think, is concrete utility poles.) I'll dig that report out and likely get PO'd at the legislative and bureacratic roadblocks.

But...... the industry lobby is way too powerful. Ooops, getting too political for this weather board. Sorry.

Mobile Home Replacement Program

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