Save Our Homes Alliance to address Manassas City Council on housing issues Nov. 28

On Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, Save Our Homes Alliance will address the Manassas City Council about concerns over the eviction of 40+ families from the East End Mobile Home Park. The Alliance is comprised of East End homeowners, Manassas residents and supporters countywide. The Council meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm with citizens time at 7:30 pm.

As of Feb. 28, 2017 43 East End homeowners and their families will be evicted from their homes in the dead of winter.  Although the City of Manassas signed an agreement with the owners of the mobile home park early last spring to purchase the land for almost $1.9 million, homeowners were deliberately kept in the dark until served with the eviction papers in late August, according to a news release.

The release went on to say that “It is the plan of the city to evict the homeowners and destroy their homes to make way for another development project. Meanwhile, a legal assertion has been arranged with the Circuit Court to place the homeowners’ rent payments into an escrow fund until the situation is resolved.”

The Save Our Homes Alliance will have several homeowners and local advocates on hand who plan to speak during citizens time. Other residents and homeowners will be present. A short press conference will be held immediately following citizens time.

The demands of the Alliance, according to the news release, include these five provisions:

• Due to the lack of affordable housing in the city of Manassas, these homeowners must be allowed to remain in their homes.

• At least a six-month extension of the deadline to avoid a winter eviction, and to provide time to arrange for an alternative buyer who would allow the homeowners to stay in their homes;

• Do not reward the owner of the mobile home park who over many years ignored his legal responsiblilty to repair the sewage system by purchasing the property for millions of dollars.

• If the city intends to go forward with the purchase, the homeowners must be given compensation for full market value of their homes in addition to compensation for moving expenses.

• Manassas must take action to address the lack of affordable housing in the city.