Several families who received orders to vacate the mobile homes that live in Sylmar are still in their homes because they say they have no other place to live.
Some of them were able to pack their belongings and leave the place but most are still in their trailers, thinking what could happen to their future.
Families have been living in more than 20 mobile homes illegally set up in a property’s yard. Many of them have stated that they will remain there because they lack the means to rent another home.
Mobile home residents illegally parked on a Sylmar property are facing eviction from their homes following a court order. Luis Zaragoza reports.
A few days ago a judge gave the eviction order to all the people who lived in the mobile homes. The problem, in addition to the presence of a sewage spill, strong odors and other health hazards that, according to several residents, have plagued the community for years.
Some residents point out that the city of Los Angeles had promised them help to get their belongings out but they never showed up.
Jose Castillo is one of the residents who evicted his home where he had lived for almost four years. He claims that the owner, Cruz Florian Godoy, deceived them and abused the tenants.
“’I didn’t need anything you guys have done,’” Castillo said, repeating what the owner had told them. “We were like ‘we what?’ We are helping them so they don’t kick us out. It’s not fair”.
Following the order to vacate the property, the LADWP terminated electrical service. The water service stopped working on Saturday.
“Those trailers are not suitable for a human being to live with dignity,” said Oscar Rodríguez, one of the tenants. “Have like (spill) of water”.
A judge has ordered residents of more than 20 mobile homes located on a Sylmar property to move after neighbors complained about hygiene and public safety issues. Chris Cabezas reports for Telemundo 52 on July 21, 2023.
A Santa Monica resident drove to Sylmar to offer help as she says she has space on her property for several mobile homes. She tried to speak to the owner but was denied access.
“It could offer space for 20 mobile homes so they have a place to live,” said Patty Finer.
The eviction case, apparently, has divided the residents of the place. Some consider it an injustice.
“It is not something to celebrate because I do not feel happy. I feel bad for the people who live there,” said Nancy Román, a resident of the area.
Reporters from Telemundo 52 tried to contact Godoy but he refused to comment.
Councilwoman Mónica Rodríguez said Friday that she was in charge of the efforts in this case.
Neighbors of a house where dozens of mobile homes are parked assure that the place smells bad and that sewage comes out of the place.
“I had never experienced a situation where people lived in these conditions, from the street it is difficult to notice,” Rodríguez told Telemundo 52.
He said he had known about the situation since 2020 but had not yet visited the property. He pointed out that the process was delayed because it was private property.
He was also unavailable to speak to reporters on Sunday.
At the moment, it is not known how many people are still living in these mobile homes, despite the judge’s order.
