Alameda houseboat community caught up in legal battle
(KRON) — In the East Bay, a battle between a community living on houseboats and a landlord is heating up. Now the City of Alameda is stepping in by filing a lawsuit.
The city is alleging the landlord is harassing dozens of tenants and preventing them from selling their homes. Many are seniors and have lived on their houseboat homes for decades.
Barnhill Marina is home to more than 50 floating homes. Two years ago, Valley Investment Redwood LLC bought the private marina.
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That, according to the Alameda City Attorney, is when the problems started. Rents were increased, in some cases more than 178 percent.
Since then, the problems have only escalated. Last fall, Valley Investments sued and lost its battle to beat down a rent control ordinance passed by the city to help the tenants.
City Attorney Yibin Shen says the owner continues to harass the tenants, refuses to pay the city fees, and has created a myriad of other issues.
“They owe us $120,000,” Shen said.
In the lawsuit, the city says it has teamed up with the Alameda County District Attorney to force Valley Investments to comply with the law.
Tenants at Barnhill say the new owners have impacted their lives and living. KRON4 attempted to reach the investment company for comment but was unsuccessful.
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