Tag Archives: discrimination

HOA study shows link between prejudice and ‘weak’ local government

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Over the weekend there’s been some internet buzz about a newly released study on homeowners associations in the United States. The study, The rise and effects of homeowners associations, by Wyatt Clarke and Matthew Freedman, uses information technology and a mathematical algorithm to pinpoint HOA member homes across the United States. Their comprehensive data analysis points to some unsurprising conclusions. HOA communities tend to be racially exclusive, and HOAs are Continue ReadingHOA study shows link between prejudice and ‘weak’ local government→

Not-so-United States: a nation divided by HOAs

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Is America a nation divided by homeowners’ associations (HOAs)? Stakeholders in the real estate industry are fond of promoting association-governed common interest developments as utopian neighborhoods with a “sense of community.” You’ve probably seen the commercials for lushly landscaped planned subdivisions and villages, right? The ones that show happy, healthy active adults biking, playing golf, or eating sushi together. Or maybe you’re still working and raising children. You might Continue ReadingNot-so-United States: a nation divided by HOAs→

Can your HOA end neighbor on neighbor housing discrimination?

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50th anniversary fair housing HUD poster

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities As explained in a previous post, in 2016, HUD published a rule that clarified that association-governed boards and their managing agents have legal duty to prevent housing discrimination in their communities. Some industry leaders, including members of trade group Community Associations Institute (CAI), expressed strong disapproval of the Quid Pro Quo/Hostile Environment Rule. Some professional were spreading misinformation, insisting that HUD expected homeowners, condominium, and cooperative association leaders to Continue ReadingCan your HOA end neighbor on neighbor housing discrimination?→

HOAs from the Dark Side

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HOA conflict fight

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities A collection of un-neigbhorly association-governed communities in the U.S. Image credit: https://todaytesting dot com Resident receives mean-spirited anonymous letter: Strongsville Police Blotter Updated Sep 20, 1:52 PM; Posted Sep 20, 7:34 AM By John Benson, special to cleveland.com STRONGSVILLE, Ohio — Suspicious situation, Lakeview Circle: On Sept. 10, a Lakeview Circle resident came to the police station to report that someone had written a nasty letter, which was delivered Continue ReadingHOAs from the Dark Side→