Character Archetypes

The People

Based on real reported cases. Names composited for the screenplay; real subjects identified for production outreach.

The Firefighter

Storyline A
25, firefighter + nurse fiancee · Whitehall Condominiums, West Palm Beach · Source: WLRN

We were happy. We were living. We were managing things. We just started planning our wedding. Now suddenly we are house-hunting and thinking about what we're going to do.

Monthly HOA jumped from $600 to $1,400 overnight, with a special assessment coming on top. The unit is worth ~15% less than purchase price because of the assessment — and the buyer inherits it.

What they did rightBought instead of rented. Built equity. Both have public service careers. Did everything the system told them to do.
What the system did to themDoubled their housing cost overnight. Destroyed their equity. Forced them to sell at a loss while planning their wedding.

The Retiree

Storyline B
79, retired · Assessment: $224,000 · Monthly doubled to $3,000 · Source: Yahoo Finance

Bought her unit for $190,000 in 2003. Her husband passed in 2017. The special assessment is $224,000 — more than she paid for the apartment. Monthly maintenance doubled from $1,500 to $3,000.

Can't pay$224K assessment on Social Security income. Combined first-year burden exceeds $260,000.
Can't borrowBank denied home equity loan — building isn't in compliance. No lender will touch it.
Can't sellWho buys a unit with a $224K lien and $3K/month maintenance? Cash buyers only, at catastrophic discounts.
Can't stayNon-payment means liens, foreclosure, eviction. At 79. After her husband died here.

The Board President

Storyline C
58, accountant, volunteer · Composite from 1060 Brickell + Palm Bay Yacht Club cases

Nobody runs for condo board because they want power. You run because nobody else will. Now he's the one standing in front of 200 people telling them they each owe $60,000. His inbox is full of threats. His neighbors won't look at him.

I didn't make that number up. I didn't pick the engineer. The state told us we had to do the study. The study told us the number. Now I'm the villain.

At 1060 Brickell, the board president was voted out after the assessment. At Palm Bay Yacht Club, owners sued the board. These are unpaid volunteers being held responsible for a crisis they didn't create.

The Holdout

Storyline D
One of 8 owners who refused to sell · Biscayne 21, Miami · Source: NPR, WSJ, Bisnow

A developer bought 184 of 192 units, then shut off the water and electricity. They wanted to demolish and build luxury towers. Eight owners said no. They fought through three courts. The Florida Supreme Court sided with them. Now a judge has ordered the developer to put the building back together.

They spent years trying to get rid of us. Now they have to put it back together. But who's going to live here?