BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Mobile home residents across Central Florida tell News 6 they are being priced out of their communities as corporate buyers acquire parks and dramatically increase lot rental fees, forcing many to choose between basic necessities and keeping their homes.
“It’s out of hand and there’s nobody to control it,” said Mark Hose, who recently left his home of 10 years at Tradewinds Mobile Home Park in Cocoa. Hose told News 6 his lot rent nearly tripled from $245 to $725 monthly.
At The Colony mobile home park in Merritt Island, resident Heather Powers has seen her lot rent increase three times in less than a year, reaching $855 monthly.
“It has been, honestly, hell,” Powers said, explaining she’s resorted to “eating a lot of ramen noodles” to make ends meet.
A News 6 investigation found out this is happening across the state. After our recent report, the News 6 Results Desk received messages from all over Florida, including from residents in Fort Myers, Martin County, and Sebring.
Mobile home residents point to a growing trend of large corporations purchasing mobile home parks and implementing aggressive rent increases. The business model particularly affects residents who own their homes but lease the land underneath, leaving them vulnerable to rising costs with limited options for relocation.
Parakeet Communities oversees Tradewinds Mobile Home Park and Homes of America owns Colony in Merritt Island. News 6 emailed both companies and asked what the rent increases go toward. We have not yet heard back.
State Rep. Paula Stark, R-St. Cloud, who helped draft House Bill 613 that took effect in July 2024, acknowledges the legislation doesn’t fully address the problem. The law allows mobile home owners and park owners to seek mediation for disputes related to lot rent increases.
News 6 asked Stark about the possibility of Florida’s legislature implementing a cap on lot rent increases.
“We have those conversations lightly, behind the scenes sometimes and you really don’t hear that being part of the solution, but I’m not going to say to you that that can’t be part of the solution,” Stark said.
For residents like Mark Hose, who receives Social Security Disability Insurance, the rising costs have forced difficult decisions. Hose was fortunate to find alternative housing on his son’s property, but notes that others in his situation are leaving the state entirely.
“One buddy of mine, he bought property in Tennessee; he’s going up there because that’s the only place he can find affordability,” he said.
“Do they not see the issue with the homeless situation in Florida?” Powers asked, advocating for stronger government intervention to limit rent increases.
Currently, Florida law places no restrictions on lot rent amounts or frequency of increases. While House Bill 701, which would have allowed mobile home owners to apply for lot rent assistance from local governments, passed three House committees unanimously, it ultimately died in the Senate.
News 6 emailed State Rep. Tyler Sirosis, a Republican whose district covers both Cocoa and Merritt Island, and asked if he would consider a cap on lot rent. His office did not respond to our multiple requests for comment.
Meantime, the State Senate seat for District 19 is open. It covers part of Brevard County. Republican State Rep. Debbie Mayfield, who currently serves District 32, and Democrat Vance Ahrens will face off in a special election for that spot on June 10.
News 6 asked both candidates if they would consider a cap on lot rent, and what they think should be done to help ease the burden on constituents.
Ahrens sent this statement:
“Thank you for reaching out and raising this important issue that significantly impacts many of my constituents. I deeply understand the challenges faced by those working hard to make ends meet. As someone who identifies with the working class, I have firsthand experience with the realities of juggling multiple jobs and living paycheck to paycheck. I can certainly relate to the financial struggles your interviewees are facing.
I am aware of your previous interview with Representative Stark and believe HB701 was a positive first step. It was disheartening to see it stall in the Senate. I am eager to see a bipartisan effort to revisit and improve this type of legislation to ensure passage through both chambers.
Regarding your specific question about rent caps, my perspective is as follows: While a state-wide lot rent cap might not be the most effective solution, it is an option that deserves public consideration.
I believe local governments are better positioned to determine the necessity of rent increase caps. Brevard County, for example, encompasses diverse communities where a policy suitable for Merritt Island might not be optimal for Barefoot Bay. The passage of bills like HB 1417 in 2023, which overturned Orange County’s Tenant Bill of Rights, has limited the ability of local governments to address housing crises at their level. I advocate for empowering local governments with the autonomy to tackle their unique local challenges.
Given that HB701 aimed to empower local entities to distribute housing assistance, it logically follows that they should also have the ability to address and prevent extreme rent increases.
It’s worth noting that with the Republican majority, there have been numerous instances where the state has restricted local governments from enacting local governance. They claim to be the “party of small government,” but removing local programs in favor of statewide regulations does not seem like small government to me."
Vance Ahrens, Candidate, FL State Senate District 19
Mayfield provided this statement:
“The affordability crisis isn’t theoretical - it’s real and has direct impacts in Brevard County. I’m working to bring relief by cutting taxes and regulations that drive up costs. I also recognize the need to protect our citizens from predatory practices and bad actors.”
Please invite the folks in your story to contact my office directly. I’d like to learn more about their situation and see if they qualify for any state assistance."
State Rep. Debbie Mayfield, (R)-Brevard County
If you live in a mobile home and are experiencing a similar situation, email investigator Louis Bolden.
Since News 6 originally published this article, Parakeet Communities responded.
Through their attorney, the company said Parakeet began operating the community in October of 2021, and at that time, Hose was paying $405 per month.
When he moved out in March of 2025, he was paying $605 per month.
“Any other charges incurred were for his utility usage such as electricity, sewer, trash and water,” their attorney wrote to News 6.
“Apartment rentals, home purchase prices, mortgage rates, short term rentals, long term rentals and mobile home lot rents have all increased subsequent to COVID. Mobile home park lot rents have not increased any more than other types of available housing,” their attorney wrote. “My client has and continues to strive toward providing affordable housing.”
“All rent increases at Tradewinds Mobile Home Park were made in full compliance with Florida law, including proper notice under Florida Statute 723.037.”