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Story Archive

Story of the Week: Ashlee Roane

My name is Ashlee Roane, and I live in Bayshore Commons. I moved here in August of 2021, drawn by what felt like one of the last affordable paths to stable housing in San Leandro.

Like many others, I came here with a dream. I wanted the simplicity and independence of the tiny home lifestyle, something I could eventually own outright. But when I couldn't find a place to legally put a tiny home, I turned to a manufactured home park as the next best option.

At the time, it felt like I had found a good place. That feeling didn't last. The community is owned by Harmony Communities, which has controlled the property since 2018 through one of its LLCs. Since moving in, I've watched the character of this community change in ways that don't benefit the people who actually live here.

Long-term residents, people who had built their lives here, some living in RVs for years, have been pushed out. In their place, Harmony has brought in company-owned tiny homes, turning what was once a resident-centered neighborhood into something that feels increasingly corporate and transactional.

In 2022, Harmony attempted to raise the rent by more than 20%, an increase of over $200 a month. For many of us, that kind of jump isn't just difficult, but impossible for some. Harmony filed a petition for fair rent return and, with legal support and after a long and stressful process that stretched into late 2025, we successfully challenged the increase.

Since then, I have lived with constant anxiety about speaking up. Every interaction with management carries an underlying fear: retaliation, hidden fees, or even eviction under questionable circumstances. When your housing depends on someone who holds that much power, even small confrontations feel risky.

My rent has still increased over time, and with added monthly charges. Meanwhile, my electricity bills are unusually high, despite minimal usage, and we still don't have individual meters, something that has been promised but never delivered.

Basic improvements to the property are delayed or ignored. Maintenance expectations are pushed onto residents. Rules are not enforced consistently or fairly. And amenities that could improve the quality of life simply aren't there. What we're left with is a system where residents carry the burden, while ownership retains control.

More than anything, what's missing is a sense of safety. Not just physical safety, but mental and financial security. Right now, we don't have that. Many of us feel trapped. We've invested in our homes, but we don't have the protections that would allow us to leave without losing everything.

What we want isn't unreasonable. We want stability. We want transparency. We want fair enforcement of rules and follow-through on promised improvements. And ultimately, many of us want the opportunity for resident ownership so the people who actually live here have a say in how the community is run. Because this isn't just property. It’s our home.

Matt Chapman (Waukee, IA)