Selecting members
From: Rob Sandelin (floriferousmsn.com)
Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 19:39:01 -0600 (MDT)
Rachel and John asked about can you have a process to select members.

Of course, one process of accepting members is done for you by the bank. If
you have the financial ability to qualify for a mortgage, then you can buy
in. This of course screens out lots of desirable folks, but also screens out
some of the real screaming horror dysfunctional folks as well.

I had a lunch time conversation recently with a civil rights attorney about
housing. In her opinion over lunch, when a cohousing or community group is
starting up, having meetings, etc. you can fully choose who gets to
participate in that effort with no legal ramifications. When you become a
housing entity, then you have to pay attention to what the protected classes
are. Being a self centered asshole is not a protected class and you can in
fact tell those people, NOPE you are not welcome. However, if that self
centered asshole is a member of a protected class (race, religion,
disability) then you are at risk of legal action. Even if the reason you
told them no had nothing to do with their protected class.

However, again, as a housing entity, the banks care a great deal about open
market access, and so if you place restrictions on this, the banks may very
well choose to not provide funding. So a waiting period for membership does
not work once banks are involved.

Rob






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