DRIPPING SPRING, Texas (KXAN) – Over 30 families and dozens of people will be displaced from a mobile home community in Dripping Springs. Some of the families said they have been there for decades.
According to families living in the neighborhood, they received a letter on July 29, saying they had 60 days to move their homes and their belongings or items remaining could be considered abandoned.
“I’ve lived here since I was born — so 19 years,” said Irving Avila, who lives in the community with his mom, dad, and several brothers and sisters.
“There’s always speculation that at some point with trailer communities like this – there’s always talks about [being] moved out,” he continued. “However, this felt very unexpected.”
The letter provided to KXAN said Gateway Development LLC owns the land. KXAN has reached out to the company but has not heard back. We will update this story if we hear back.
Many in the community said 60 days felt rushed, especially considering how long some have lived there. Other families with school-aged children were worried it could jeopardize their enrollment status at Dripping Spring ISD schools, which start classes on Tuesday.
“My parents are trying to focus on finding a place here in Dripping [Springs] because we don’t want to leave. Dripping is home, [and] my siblings love the schools here,” Avila said.
On Monday, at least three dozen of those living in the community gathered to voice their frustrations. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra attended the demonstration to see how he could help.
“The community reached out to my office asking for help because they were told that they have 60 days to leave a place they’ve lived in for decades,” Becerra said. “My best place is to try to help people. I promised them nothing but effort.”
Following the demonstration, Becerra said he met with a representative from Gateway Development LLC. Becerra said the company was willing to be patient with some in the community who could take longer than 60 days to be completely moved out.
Becerra said he is helping other families being displaced find new mobile home neighborhoods within Dripping Springs so students don’t need to transfer schools.
“I believe most completely that this has a peaceful solution that’ll be most beneficial to everyone. It just takes more work and more time,” Becerra said.
“I can’t expect to stay here forever. What I am hoping is we get more time to find a place for everybody who is living here,” Avila said.