The community is not eligible for federal dollars to assist with the cost of demolition.

Doug Muse, 54, has been living with his father since March. The former Army paratrooper said he lives paycheck to paycheck.

“I can’t afford to shell out that much money,” Muse said after the hearing, echoing the sentiment of many of the residents who attended.

Another complicating factor is ownership of the properties. About half the residents rented their homes from Howard “Howdy” Helm, Paradise Lakes’ owner.

Helm has told the city that he can’t afford the cost of the demolition. So when the city demolishes the community, it most likely will place a lien on the property, which Helm would have to pay back if he wanted to sell or redevelop the land.

Jim Ristow, Bellevue’s city administrator, said it’s possible that the lien would be placed on the land itself, which Helm owns. But liens also could be placed against the individual residents who owned their modular homes, placing the financial burden on them.

About half of Paradise Lakes residents owned their homes and leased the land underneath from Helm.