Houseboat Owners in Redwood City Continue Fight Against Housing Development

Redwood City continues campaigning to get rid of people
who live on houseboats in a marina getting engulfed by development.

The city this week removed more houseboats bought from owners
last year leaving those who have held out on selling and moving, feeling more
isolated and yet, more determined to stay.

The floating community was part of a Docktown Plan by the
city about 75 years ago and now, its plans have changed. More and more slips
are empty with about a dozen houseboat owners holding on to their unique,
affordable way of life.

Houseboat owner Dan Slanker is the president of the
dwindling Redwood Creeks Association which once had more than 80 members and is
now down to about a dozen holding out against city and state attempts to get them
to move. 

“We’re a community,” said Slanker. “Definitely love where
we live and would like to stay. It’s a housing crisis at this time! How can you
possibly not let us stay?”

The city is trying to make room for 130 new homes.

Many sold their houseboats willingly last year, some at substantial
profit, but the holdouts say not all he offers were fair.

“I don’t like the idea of being a ‘freeloader’ or a
‘squatter’ where I’m not welcome,” said boat owner Nina Peschcke-Koedt. “It’s just
they haven’t followed the California relocation law fully especially for those
of us left.”

That has left many determined not to sell.

“I prefer staying here over anywhere else,” said
houseboat owner Colin Lehr. “I’m not planning to leave.”

For now, everyone can stay given the numerous pending
lawsuits.

Source: NBC Bay Area