City evicting 12 families from homes, citing ‘deplorable' conditions

Families at Oak Hollow Mobile Home Park have 7 days to leave

SAN ANTONIO – Some homeowners at a North Side mobile home park are now trying to find a new temporary home.

On Monday, the city posted notices on 12 homes at the Oak Hollow Mobile Home Park, ordering the residents to leave because of deplorable conditions and serious health conditions.

Jesus Arredondo has lived in the neighborhood for the last 14 years. Now, he and his family have been given seven days to leave.

"Even a 30-day notice is kind of tough. To move all your stuff and find out where to go and where to put your things, your property and all that," Arredondo said. "Seven days is real short notice."

Rod Sanchez, the city of San Antonio's director of development services, said Monday that they posted the notices after finding three failing septic tanks and raw sewage in people's yards and underneath a home.

"We always leave the vacate order as a total last resort because we hate to vacate people out of their home," Sanchez said. "But, unfortunately, in this situation, this is a serious health concern for those folks living there."

Arredondo said he's had problems since he moved to the park and he understands why the city is taking action, but he wishes he had more time.

"Can you imagine how many things you accumulate in 14 years? My kids' things and my things, furniture and living room furniture and kitchen, and dishes and all kinds of paperwork."

The mobile home park has 61 homes.

One resident, "Scott," said he was surprised by the notice. He said the city is overreacting.

"I'm not going to vacate," Scott said. "I'm totally happy. I haven't had a single problem."

The city cited the mobile home park owner.

KSAT tried to contact him, but did not reach him Monday.

Sanchez said the city's Department of Health Services will be out at the park this week, talking to people to help them make the move.


About the Author:

Stephanie Serna is a weekday anchor on Good Morning San Antonio and GMSA at 9 a.m. She joined the KSAT 12 News team in November 2009 as a general assignments reporter.