Mobile Home Transition Program
Questions & Answers
(Mobile Home Transition Ordinance )

1. What is the Mobile Home Transition Program?
The Mobile Home Transition Program helps mobile home owners secure affordable housing when parks are rezoned for other use.

2. How will this program assist in finding alternative housing?
The program offers one-on-one counseling to develop an individualized replacement housing plan based on the specific housing needs of the displaced mobile home owner.

3. What financial benefits are associated with the program?
The program provides up to two years of rental assistance when affordable housing cannot be located.

4. How do applicants apply for the Mobile Home Transition Program?
Pinellas County’s Health and Human Services Department will accept applications for the program following County approval of park owner participation.

5. Is there a time limit to apply for the program?
Residents must complete an application within 90 days of receiving a notice to vacate the property or notification of a zoning change, whichever is later.

6. How will affordability be determined?
The affordability of the mobile home owner is determined by their gross household income and the maximum rents published annually by the State of Florida.

7. Will owners receive a financial benefit to cover the cost of relocating?
No. The Mobile Home Transition Program does not provide a relocation benefit.

8. Will the rental assistance interfere with eligibility to receive a financial benefit under Florida Statue 723?
No. Funds provided as rental assistance are not considered a relocation or compensation benefit and should not impact eligibility for compensation provided under FS 723.

9. Who is responsible for identifying the replacement unit?
The rezoning applicant will identify available units and provide that information to the housing counselor.

10. What types of alternative housing units will be offered?
Housing options offered through this program can include mobile homes, apartments, duplexes, triplexes, and single family homes.

11. Can owners refuse a unit?
The rezoning applicant's responsibility is to identify an appropriate unit. If an applicant refuses an available unit that meets the program’s criteria, rental assistance benefits will not be provided.

12. How will the amount of rental assistance provided to the mobile home owner be calculated?
Rental assistance will be based on the difference between the monthly cost of the available housing unit identified through the program and the rent amount affordable to the displaced owner. See the Affordability example below for additional explanation.

13. Will rental assistance be paid directly to an applicant?
No. Rental assistance will be paid directly to the landlord.

14. Can applicants rent from a family member and receive rental assistance?
No. Rental assistance can only be provided for arms-length rental agreements.

15. What will happen if rent goes up during the two-year period?
Renters are responsible for covering the cost of any rent increases.

16. What happens after two years?
Individualized housing plans prepared through the program will attempt to place applicants in housing that does not require rental assistance. If assistance is required, two years will allow applicants time to reach the top of waiting lists for affordably priced housing.

17. Do renters living in the park qualify for rental assistance?
No. Renters are not eligible to participate in this program.

18. What other referral services are available?
The program will provide information on other various services offered throughout Pinellas County. These referral services include: transportation assistance, health care, food stamps, employment training, self-sufficiency programs, assisted living facilities, affordable rentals, and more.

19. Can the park owner continue charging rent, raise the rent, or evict a mobile home owner for nonpayment of rent during this period?
Yes, but only in accordance with the provisions of Florida Statue 723 and other applicable rules. Participation in this program does not relieve the rezoning applicant of those responsibilities.

20. When are Supplemental Rental Assistance Payment funds deposited by the rezoning applicant?
The full supplemental rental assistance payment amount must be deposited by the rezoning applicant prior to any permits being issued for site redevelopment.

21. Can the rezoning applicant minimize the amount of rental assistance paid out of the fund?
Yes. By working with the mobile home owners to identify affordable housing units that meet their specific needs, the rezoning applicant can help assure efficient use of rental assistance funds.

22. Can the rezoning applicant offer a mobile home owner a cash payment in lieu of rental assistance?
Yes. Mobile Home Owners may voluntarily negotiate other arrangements with rezoning applicants and waive their rights for assistance under this program.

23. Will the rezoning applicant get back unused funds?
Yes. Funds not used to provide rental assistance to displaced mobile home owners will be returned to the rezoning applicant within 90 days following the rental assistance period. Administrative fees are non-refundable.

24. What does the administrative fee charged to the rezoning applicant cover?
These funds cover the cost incurred by the County for administering the program such as the cost of providing counseling services, certifying applicant income, inspecting properties, making monthly rental payments, and the financial tracking of the fund.

Affordability Example
Mr. X is a single person with a gross household income of $20,000 per year. This income places Mr. X at 60% of median income for Pinellas County. The current maximum rents published annually by the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) states that a person at Mr. X’s income level can afford a rent of $586 per month for a one bedroom unit. If a suitable replacement unit can be found for Mr. X at or below this amount, he will not need rental assistance.

If the only suitable housing unit identified for Mr. X rents for $650 per month, he will need rental assistance to fund the difference. In this example, Mr. X will be eligible for a rental assistance payment of $64 per month for a period not to exceed two years. This payment represents the difference between Mr. X's affordability and the cost of the available unit. Since Mr. X requires rental assistance, the housing counselor will work with him to develop a housing replacement plan. Mr. X will then be able to get on waiting lists or take other actions that will help him find housing that will still be affordable to him after the two-year rental assistance period expires.

Supplemental Rental Assistance Payment Fund Deposit Example

The example below demonstrates the methodology for calculating the deposit amount required for the provision of temporary rental assistance to eligible mobile home owners as described in the draft ordinance.

ABC Mobile Home Park
Supplemental Rental Assistance Deposit Calculation

Total number of owner-occupied mobile homes: 86

*Average apartment rents are based on the Bay Area Apartment Association
Market Survey, First Quarter 2007.

Note: Deposit may be in cash or an irrevocable line of credit in a form approved by the County.