Episode 8.4: Trailer park transitions
Professor Hormel shares the story of how Syringa Mobile Home Park residents fought back against unsafe living conditions, inspiring lessons in community action, advocacy and affordable housing
BY Leigh Cooper and Danae Lenz
Photo by Randy Heinitz
October 21, 2024
Meet Leontina Hormel, a professor of sociology in the Department of Culture, Society and Justice at University of Idaho. She researches environmental sociology, gender and class inequalities, and community action research. She is discussing the plight of a local mobile home park and the lessons learned there that could be used to make meaningful change in the future.
Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu.
You probably know some of the stereotypes about people who live in trailer parks. Do you think those stereotypes live up to the reality?
In this engaging interview, Hormel reflects on the plight of Syringa Mobile Home Park in Latah County, Idaho. The crisis began in 2013 when residents discovered unsafe levels of bacteria and lead in their water, leading to a 93-day shutoff. For those living there, it was a winter of hardship, with many scrambling for basic water access. Hormel got involved after learning two of her students lived in Syringa, prompting her to document the residents’ experiences and uncover the park’s long-standing infrastructure issues. As the park owner delayed legal proceedings and eventually filed for bankruptcy, the professor’s research turned into a study of resilience. Syringa’s residents, often misunderstood and stereotyped, formed tight-knit support networks, caring for each other in ways outsiders failed to recognize. Hormel challenges common perceptions of trailer parks, emphasizing that many residents were disabled or were from families struggling with poverty. Though Syringa eventually closed in 2017, the community’s fight inspired other mobile home parks in the area to form cooperatives, advocating for their rights. This story highlights the power of community action, the importance of securing affordable housing and the potential for cooperatives to give tenants a stronger voice. It’s a story of struggle, solidarity and the lessons learned from standing up for one’s home.
Music
“Young Republicans” by Steve Combs via freemusicarchive.org, not modified.
“The Facts About Facts” by Micah Dahl Anderson via Amphibious Zoo.