Seven individuals and families, who between them owned fifteen residential properties, refused to sell despite the pressure. one was susette kelo, who wanted to hold on to her “little pink house” near the waterfront. some of the other families involved had deep roots in the community and did not want to be forced out. wilhelmina dery, who was in her eighties, had lived in the same house her whole life, and wished to continue living there during the time left to her. the cristofaro family were also strongly attached to their property, which they had purchased in the 1970s after their previous home had been condemned as part of an urban renewal project.

–“the story behind kelo v. city of new london,”
ilia somin

how would the development plan affect susette kelo and other residents?

they were in danger of losing their property against their will.
they were at risk of not being able to sell their land to the development company.
there was a chance they might not make much money from selling their property.
they were likely to face discomfort from construction taking place near their homes.