Zeldes, Needle & Cooper Saves Mobile Home Park Residents

ZNC partner Charles Needle recently represented the residents of Ryder Woods in the purchase of a mobile home park from Starwood Ceruzzi Group, bringing an eleven-year struggle to save the 174 mobile home families from eviction to a successful conclusion.

The matter began in 1998, when the owner of a mobile home park on the Post Road in Milford sought to close down the park and evict its residents (many of whom were elderly and disabled) in order to construct a major shopping center. On behalf of the residents, Zeldes, Needle & Cooper obtained injunctive relief against the eviction and was able, after four years of litigation, to force a settlement with the developer. The settlement included provisions requiring the developer to (a) purchase a parcel of land in Milford, Connecticut commensurate with the size of the old park, (b) construct a new mobile home park on the site and provide funds and financing so that the residents could purchase new homes at the new park, and (c) provide an option for the residents to purchase the park significantly below appraised value. After the park was constructed and new homes were obtained by the residents in accordance with the court-approved settlement, Attorney Needle was able to secure 110% financing so that the Park could be purchased by the residents without the residents providing any equity for the purchase and with all closing costs financed by the lender. As a result of the purchase, the residents are protected from any further eviction because they now own the park in which they live.