From currentargus.com MHProNews has learned the oil and gas boom has hit Carlsbad, New Mexico, and with every apartment and motel room in town filled, people are sleeping on floors and living in backyard tents. In October 2013 the city approved temporary housing ordinances, and since then 100 travel trailer spaces have occupied what were vacant lots around town. James Knott, the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission chairman, with 30 years experience in the manufactured housing industry, also owns Sun West Mobile City, filling 81 spaces with travel trailers. New motels, hotels and apartments are being built to try and meet the city’s housing needs. The temporary housing is just that. Knott says: “The developer gets a two-year permit, and he can get an extension to total five years.” ##

(Photo credit: Martha Mauritson/currentargus.com–James Knott observes the travel trailers parked at his MHC)