Soledad farmworkers in danger of being evicted

Over 30 families living in trailers and mobile homes in Soledad are facing possible eviction after the land owner announced his intent to build a hotel on the property.

One resident, Laura Galvan, told KION there are over a hundred people living at the Nielsen Mobile Home Park in Soledad, most of them either retired or working in agriculture. With a largely unaffordable housing market, many of them do not know where to go if they are evicted.

Galvan and her two children have been living in Soledad’s Nielsen Mobile Home Park for more than 20 years.

“We are part of a very nice community here, we all know each other,” she said.

Galvan said eight years ago, the Nielsen family sold the land to a new owner. Last October, that new owner sent out a notice to residents stating he wanted to build a new hotel and everyone has to leave.

“He gave us a notice that we have to relocate basically, and we’re so worried because we don’t have nowhere to go,” said Galvan.

There are currently 27 mobile homes, four apartments and two house on the property, and Galvan said the owner plans to move everything by next year.

To prevent eviction, residents are turning toward the city and a local advocacy group.

“We could find a way to maybe look for options that can help the residents and help the city and help the owner achieve the purpose,” said Daniel Gonzalez, the executive director of the Center for Community Advocacy based in Salinas.

Gonzalez said there is a huge shortage of available housing in south Monterey County. Rents have gone up, forcing multiple families to often live under a single roof.

“If you go down through 101 through the four main cities in south county, you’re going to find that there’s a common situation happening,” said Gonzalez.

KION tried asking around for the land owner’s name and a “Mr. Aga” came up. City offices were closed for the day and no one has answered our request for confirmation.

For now, residents like Galvan are left waiting to see what happens next and hoping a solution will soon appear.

“We are low-income families and we basically cannot afford another house, some of the people don’t qualify for low-income, we are too old already to purchase something. We invest all our money in the mobile homes,” said Galvan.

Families are planning to march and rally Wednesday at 10 a.m. starting at the Nielsen Mobile Home Park and ending at Soledad City Hall.