Hi Folks,
This interview got out to our network a little bit early, mainly because I was still learning how to embed videos directly on the Neighbors At War website. Now that I’ve learned how, I may be able to link to more interesting HOA related videos. One possible subject that comes to mind is videotapes of fights and assaults in Homeowner Association meetings! That might be educational for those who are skeptical about our claims of rampant abuse of homeowners in the HOA system. So feel free to send me links to such videos.
My interviewer this past weekend was Jon Caldara, a radio and TV fixture in Colorado and host of Devil’s Advocate, a PBS show in the Denver area. Caldara is also head of the Independence Institute, an activist conservative think tank. Many of those reading this blog are liberals or libertarians. This interview gives me another chance to emphasize that our cause is not liberal OR conservative. It’s about the loss of Constitutional rights in neighborhoods which were built only because they were mandated by local government.
We have to continue spreading the word that real government institutions should never be allowed to mandate the formation of quasi-government or faux-government organizations that consistently deny Constitutional rights.
No matter where you are on the political ideology spectrum, if you care about upholding your rights and holding onto to your money, then you will want to avoid purchasing and/or living in an HOA (or condo).
But our elected officials need to hear from the masses – stop mandating, or in any way encouraging, future construction and/or redevelopment of structures or subdivisions governed as Residential Common Interest Developments (HOAs, POAs, condo associations, etc.)
I believe many more than our elected officials need to hear HOA homeowners and home buyers. Our state and federal offices and agencies such as protection agencies, housing agencies, and criminal investigative agencies need to listen and get involved in protecting homeowners from the on goings in many of these groups that choose to be abusive. Some of these abusive HOA groups and their accomplices, willfully and intentionally, commit outrageous illegal acts and crimes using the justice system to victimize innocent homeowners. Some in the courts need to listen too, and if they cannot uphold the laws and rights of the innocent, they should step down, or stop practicing.
I agree with you Deborah.
I also think it will have to work both ways. Buyers stop buying into these horrible HOAs, PUD, COAs, you name it and that will help stop the destruction of home ownership. I truly believe it is better to rent than to own in any source of HOA or controlled living arrangement. At the same time, the legislators, and city planners need to hear the voices of those who know first-hand the nightmare that millions of homeowners are living in. So few will speak up because they fear the abuses will get worse.
Brilliant interview! Ward did an incredible job explaining the constitutional issues surrounding HOA’s.
This Attorney written Q&A on free speech rights in IL condominiums further illustrates, with specific examples, what Ward says in the interview.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/ct-mre-1207-condo-living-20141201-column.html
Owners are at the mercy of the Board.