Tag Archives: discrimination

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→

New surveillance camera startup plans to serve HOAs – what could go wrong?

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Security camera in use sign

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities How far are you willing to go to protect yourself and your community from crime? How much privacy are you willing to give up? How much would you be willing to pay for security services? A new startup surveillance company is hoping you — or your homeowners association — will pay $1,500 apiece for their new security cameras. According to several recent reports (see here and here), the fledgling Continue ReadingNew surveillance camera startup plans to serve HOAs – what could go wrong?→