Category Archives: Religious freedom

Has the HOA community association created a new vision for Fair Housing?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities In past decade or so, real estate developers and investors started targeting private and common interest community housing to specific groups of buyers, based upon religious background. But, is it legal under U.S. Fair Housing Act of 1968? The answer, it appears, is not obvious. Joppatowne, MD lawsuits focus on alleged Muslim-only community For example, in October of 2017, Faheem Younus, developer of River Run, made national headlines when Continue ReadingHas the HOA community association created a new vision for Fair Housing?→

FL homeowner says HOA should respect her religious freedom

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Catholic Virgin Mary Lady Guadalupe

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Community Millie Francis, a homeowner in Bradenton Tropical Palm, says she isn’t going to take down a painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe (also known as the Virgin Mary) that adorns her mobile home, despite her HOA’s objections. The property manager of the trailer park, Janet Nowakowski of Vanguard Property Management out of Tampa, says several months ago, the HOA gave Francis permission to remove a picture window from her home, Continue ReadingFL homeowner says HOA should respect her religious freedom→

Homeowners, residents cope with dysfunctional, abusive HOAs

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities 90-year-old woman stuck with flooded basement, no A/C for over two months Ameera David 5:59 PM, Aug 15, 2018 6:00 PM, Aug 15, 2018 ST. CLAIR SHORES (WXYZ) – A basement in shambles is what 90-year-old Lillian Arnone has to look at every day. The St. Claire Shores homeowner living in Windwood Pointe Condominium says the problem began in early June, and since then has transformed her first level Continue ReadingHomeowners, residents cope with dysfunctional, abusive HOAs→

MI: Bay View Association members vote to revoke rule requiring owners to be Christians

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Good news! It appears that a federal lawsuit against Bay View Association, filed by current homeowners and potential home buyers, has generated enough public pressure to convince the association’s membership to vote to eliminate the requirement that all homeowners must be practicing Christians, actively affiliated with a church. The federal lawsuit called the ‘Christian persuasion rule’ discriminatory, and a violation of First Amendment rights. Bay View Association is Continue ReadingMI: Bay View Association members vote to revoke rule requiring owners to be Christians→