Category Archives: Civil Rights

NJ Circuit Court rules condo association’s swimming schedule violates Fair Housing Act

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Three years ago, A Country Place Condominium Association, Lakewood, New Jersey, made national news when two of its residents clashed with the condo board over its sex-segregated swimming pool policies. This week the U.S. Third Circuit Court struck down the condominium association’s swimming pool policy as a violation of the Fair Housing Act, because the swimming schedule favors men and discriminates against women. The ruling overturns an earlier decision Continue ReadingNJ Circuit Court rules condo association’s swimming schedule violates Fair Housing Act→

Lawsuit: Town says Flintstone House is public nuisance, owner countersues

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Florence Fang says the Town of Hillsborough is violating her First Amendment rights, discriminating against her because she’s Chinese   By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Today’s post involves the unusual property of a multi-millionaire, located on a hillside within view of California Highway 280. But it’s not governed by a homeowners association. Look at the details of this story – they vividly illustrate the irony of fighting for private property rights in a “free” Continue ReadingLawsuit: Town says Flintstone House is public nuisance, owner countersues→

IL Appellate court upholds First Amendment rights of condo residents

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities A recent Cook County Appellate Court ruling reaffirms the First Amendment rights of condo owners in Illinois. On March 29th, in Brian Connolly v.  Anthony Milazzo, Mike Fish, Serap Brush,  and Glenn Greene, Justice Cunningham reversed the trial court’s dismissal of one of the Plaintiff’s primary claims. In his lawsuit, Connolly claimed his condo association board members imposed unjustified sanctions and fines against him, in retaliation, after he criticized the Continue ReadingIL Appellate court upholds First Amendment rights of condo residents→

Laws alone won’t change hearts of your HOA neighbors

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities . Sadly, once again, I’m seeing reports of homeowners associations denying disabled residents the right to safely enjoy their homes. The latest reports come to us from Tennessee, where residents from two HOA-governed communities have filed complaints with the Tennessee Fair Housing Council (TFHC). Veteran, amputee denied wheelchair ramps by his HOA News Channel 5 and The Tennessean report that the Meadows of Seven Points HOA (Hermitage) ordered William Continue ReadingLaws alone won’t change hearts of your HOA neighbors→