Independent American Communities
Exposing #HOA #Condo #AffordableHousing corruption & educating consumers in search of the American Dream #ValueMyRights #Homeowner #RealEstate
By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities People don't often think about flooding in landlocked neighborhoods, nowhere near a river or ocean. But storm water floods can cause a heap of damage, as Bonnie Miles, a retired Veteran in Roanoke, Virginia, recently learned. Miles was a first time home buyer as of September 1, 2018. When …
Continue reading "Her dream condo was flooded by storm water — 4 feet deep"
A Chicago neighborhood association wants Planning and Zoning board to deny a family’s request to build a garage to accommodate their daughter’s wheelchair. By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities On IAC, I write a lot of posts about mandatory homeowners and condominium associations that choose to deny disability accommodations. For some reason, some board members …
Continue reading "Chicago Neighborhood Association fights against garage for disabled teen"
by Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Following Darcy Spears’ recent KTNV “HOA Hall of Shame” report, Savannah Falls HOA board and management rethinks its aggressive towing policy. Spears is a godsend for Las Vegas area residents dealing with abusive homeowners associations. Due to her intervention, and after nearly a month of fighting with their HOA, …
Continue reading "HOA board rethinks aggressive towing policy (NV)"
By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Gregory and Michele White’s condo horror story began in 2014, when they replaced the light colored carpet in their 2nd floor condo townhouse unit with dark wood floors. Kenolio Condo Association has a rule that requires 2nd floor unit owners to install carpeting, in order to prevent noise …
Continue reading "Fair Housing legal victory for Hawaii condo owners, $1.7 M award"
By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Two condo associations in New Jersey settled complaints filed by residents, both of them fair housing claims following denial of their requests for support animals. The first settlement involved a dispute between tenant T.D. and Harbortown Sail condominium association, Perth Amboy. T.D. suffers from medical conditions that cause …
Buyer claimed discrimination due to disabilities By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Tompkins Manor co-op, and management company West-Ex Associates were named in a recent settlement in a Fair Housing complaint alleging discrimination based on disability status. According to reports, Michael Forster is a 34-year old man with congenital heart defects, and, due to medical …
Continue reading "NY Co-op fined $125K for violation of Fair Housing Act"
Attorney says case will help many others fighting for disability, civil rights in HOAs By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities On Mother's Day, today's blog pays tribute to Renee Kuhn, a mother who, with support from her husband, Gary, is a fierce advocate for her daughter, Khrizma, and countless other people with disabilities who choose …
Continue reading "Oregon HOA settles fair housing dispute over RV for $300,000"
Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities More warm, fuzzy neighborly behavior in a homeowners association (HOA), this time in Pocono Lakes' gated Arrowhead section. There are several negative social dynamics at play here, and it all begins with the HOA's power to fine one's neighbor. Add in a lack of communication - no one bothered …
Continue reading "PA HOA blocking gate access-playing the shame game"
By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities This is a follow-up to a blog I wrote a few weeks ago, Are Townships, Townhouse Associations, discriminating against the disabled? According to Attorney John Rule, representing Heart to Heart Care, and Rachel Wentworth, Executive Director of the Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania, both Forks and Palmer Township are …
Continue reading "PA Housing Equality Center says 40% of municipalities violate Fair Housing Act"
Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Fair Housing claims are all too common in homeowners, condominium, and cooperative associations. But how do Fair Housing Laws apply to age-restricted communities? A recent example in Lakeland, Florida, is particularly noteworthy. Skyview Estates is a 55+ age-restricted, gated, manufactured home community. The HOA board recently denied housing to Nikole Haase, …
Continue reading "Does Fair Housing case set precedent for age restricted HOA communities?"