Marumsco Mobile Home Park residents get needed help to comply with zoning regulations

A concerned citizen notified officials in the Prince William County zoning office that they felt there were building violations in the Marumsco Mobile Home Park. Because the County had received a complaint, they were obligated to investigate. In the end, the County levied 39 citations in the community of 45 homes. The violations were ones that had occurred primarily out of necessity…structures were added over the years that made the residents living arrangements more suitable to their family size or provided storage for the tools of their livelihoods. However, in many cases the structures were added after the flood plain was designated. And they were not allowable in the flood plain.

Families facing criminal charges

The County had to issue citations for the removal of the structures. Most of the violations were taken care of by the home owner’s themselves but a few residents needed help. Others are just at a loss for what to do as the additional space is vitally needed to make living in the community justifiable. Yet, anyone who hadn’t abated the violations by mid-December faced potential criminal violations with up to $2,500 in fines per occurrence or even possibly jail time

The response came about because (Woodbridge Distirct Supervisor) Frank Prinicipi pulled together several groups including us, Grace Lutheran Church, the Woodbridge Workers Committee, VOICE, residents of the community and government officials.

The result was that Habitat led the volunteer groups and many members of the faith community, a contingent from the 45+ Social and Active Meetup Group, employees from the Peterson Companies, regular Habitat volunteers, new volunteers and residents worked over the four days. It was sad to have to do the work but the responders were compassionate and hard-working.