Six-Year-Old Evicted — Kimberly Broffman Tossed Out Of Retirement Village
Kimberly Broffman is a little girl with a very grown-up problem: she’s facing homelessness.
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The 6-year-old lives with her grandparents in a retirement community just outside Miami, Florida. Unfortunately for Kimberly, the old foggies in the neighborhood have seen enough Barbies and Bratz dolls to last a lifetime and they want the adorable little lady out. See, the community’s bylaws clearly state residents have to be at least 55 years or older. The homeowners association expects an order from a judge any day now that would force the 6-year-old to move.
Where is the love?
“I believe that they should go. They should find somewhere else to live,” an unidentified member of the community told the press Wednesday. The battle over Kim’s residency has been going on since authorities snatched the child from her drug-addicted mother and placed her in the care of her Grandma and Grandpa nearly five years ago. Leland Wheeler, the Lakes Homeowners Association president, says he won’t force the family to leave –he’ll just make sure the sheriff does.
Nice going, Gramps.
“I’ll be merely the president of the board who is trying to enforce the policies of our association that she agreed to when she moved in,” Wheeler explained curtly.
“No, we do not want to remain here. We want to leave. We want to move out of here. As soon as I can sell this house,” says Jimmy Stottler, Kimberly’s grandfather.
By the time Kimberly’s grandparents accepted that it would be best to move, the housing market had crashed. They were asking $225,000 for their house. They’ve lowered it to $129,000, but there are still no buyers.
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On October 22nd 2009, Joan wrote:
Oh my God they had five years to move out. Why didn’t they! Rules are rules of developments with HOA’s. Why should a Judge be brought in to make a moral decision. It’s the legal decision that matters not moral decisions. Get a motel until you sell your house grandparents! You knew the rules when you purchased your home. If circumstances change, you must change with it. Older folks purchase in 55 and over retirement developments to enjoy a quiet life.
On October 22nd 2009, Kathy wrote:
Oh my God Joan, do you know all the circumstances? Maybe 5 years ago they did not know this was going to be a permanent situation. I am sure at the time they purchased the home they did not know they would be raising a grandchild. Tell me if this happened to you would you say no I cannot love and raise my grandchild because it might upset my neighbors. If I were the Stottlers I would want to move as soon as possible. I would not want to live among people who are so cold hearted and selfish. All I can say is to those who are pushing to evict Kimberly, you had better hope to god you never face a crisis where you need your neighbors and community help and support. What ever happened to the golden rule “do unto others”, Joan if you were my neighbor I would SLAM the door in your face because it is the rule.
On October 22nd 2009, joan hater wrote:
Joan you sound like a bitter old woman
On October 22nd 2009, Ruth wrote:
It is easy to be sympathetic over a 5 year old, but what happens if the community waives its rules this time and the next case is an emotional troubled teen-ager or a child whose parents have ceded him/her to the grandparents because they cannot control the child? Too bad, because if they yield on this case then a legal precedent has been set and the community could very well be stuck with the consequences. The grandparents had plenty of time to move PRIOR to the housing crash. Their procrastination is NOT the fault of the association.
Those rules are there to protect the quality of life of all the residents – others who choose to abide by them do not deserve to have their expectations destroyed.
On October 22nd 2009, D Powers wrote:
Joan said “rules are rules”.
Well… someone should visit that grouchy old neighborhood and get a copy of the by-laws and just see how many homeowners are breaking other rules and have HOA president Leland (mean guy) Wheeler start hounding them as much as he is this poor little girl!
I’m sure one or two rules are being broken each and every day there!
Let’s just take a look at that bitter old neighborhood with a microscope and expose everyone who isn’t in compliance!
I can imagine Leland is feeling the love right about now… and that old biddy of a woman who stuck he wrinkled mug in the camera and said they should move is also getting lots of positive vibes sent her way!
On October 23rd 2009, J cook wrote:
Joan says “rules are rules”
Well there used to be a rule that black folks had to ride in the back of the bus!
And there used to be a rule that women could not vote.
And this HOA rule sucks worse than the gas bags commited to uphold it!
On October 24th 2009, Ron B wrote:
Wow, people. So many of you have absolutely no concern or regard for rules and contractual obligations. These grandparents bought into this community BECAUSE it is a 55 and over community. Just because their family dynamic has changed, regardless of the reasons, does not mean that the rest of the communities’ property rights and propery value should be adversely affected, which they would be if this girl were allowed to stay.
Many people have difficult circumstances develop in their lives. It is irresponsible to pass those problems on to others. They could rent an apartment until the place sells. Better, they could have priced the place to sell and still tripled their money instead of trying to reap a 300% – 500% profit for the place by pricing on the high side of the market. My understanding is that it was purchased for under $50,000 and they first put it on the market for more than $220,000. That doesn’t look like a good faith effort to sell or show a real desire to move out of the community.
Why do you feel the need to vilify these other residents for buying into a 55 and over community and then expect that it will actually be a 55 and over community? Remember, those grandparents bought in for the same reasons and protections. Shame on them for breaking their contractual obligation for more than 4 years and shame on all of you who support them.