Southwood is a large mobile home park outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, which a nonprofit organization plans to remove and replace with a mixed income housing development. The closing of this neighborhood is symbolic of a nationwide decline in this form of affordable housing, which today faces significant stigmatization in American society. The residents of Southwood are wary of promises of better housing and home ownership. Many families have invested time and money in fixing up their trailers to suit their needs, and they value their yards and outdoor amenities. They didn’t ask for anyone’s help.
