Pasco Exploring Ways to Help Walden Pond Tenants

Paco County Commissioner Pat Mulieri visited residents of Walden Pond Mobile Home Park Tuesday and saw their need. The park owners have told tenants the park is closing and they need to leave.

The park closes effective 11:59 p.m. July 31, according to a letter sent out to tenants.

A number of tenants want to go but “they do not have first and last rent,” Mulieri wrote in an email. “Many pay 500 dollars in that park. They also gave deposits. The owner should be held responsible for giving back deposits.”

Mulieri, whose district encompasses the Land O' Lakes area, said that she is working on getting the county’s social services staff go to the park on Friday and do intake to see what the needs of tenants are and match them with appropriate agencies. 

“We have some emergency funds that could be used to fund some residents first and (last months) rent so they can move into a new place,” she said.

In addition: “There are some elderly residents who own their trailers, they cannot be moved and they want to stay. It is all they have. So sad.”

Mulieri says she and county staff will be out at Walden Pond around 10 a.m. Friday. She believes Darren Waters, outreach coordinator for the Pasco/Pinellas Public Defenders’ Office, will be out there, too. He has already talked to Walden Pond residents and contacted his church to help, she said.  

Stick with Patch for updates as they arise.

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