Category Archives: Civil Rights

Andrea’s HOA battle is over. What now?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Some of my readers know that, on January 31, advocates for rights of HOA residents lost another voice. Andrea Barnes died at the age of 46, leaving behind her husband, her parents, three children, other family members and friends. Andrea’s HOA dispute began in connection with her diagnosis of Meniere’s Disease, a disorder of the inner ear that causes problems with balance, constant ringing in the ears, and unpredictable Continue ReadingAndrea’s HOA battle is over. What now?→

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Virginia family of shooting victim files wrongful death lawsuit against HOA, Security company, and guard

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Last week, attorney John R. Fletcher, Tavss Fletcher, filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of The Estate of Jiansheng Chen. You may recall that Chen was fatally shot 5 times by a City Wide security guard, Jonathan Cromwell, on the night of January 26, 2017. Chen’s family says he was in his vehicle parked, playing Pokémon Go, on common property near the clubhouse of River Walk Association, when Continue ReadingVirginia family of shooting victim files wrongful death lawsuit against HOA, Security company, and guard→

How breaking HOA rules might land you in jail

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities This weekend, followers on social media circulated a news report about Melchior Julien, a homeowner at Holly Tree Plantation in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Julien claims his HOA is discriminating against him, and now he might go to jail, because he is one of only two black residents in the community. But, reading the details of the story in The Greenville News, plus the official response posted by Holly Tree Continue ReadingHow breaking HOA rules might land you in jail→

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?→