Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: New Member criteria

[Martha (marthasadler]

Yes though the "familial status" protection doesn't mean what you probably 
think it means. "In fair housing law, “familial status” has a specific and 
limited meaning: the presence of children under the age of 18 in a household," 
as one legal website very neatly puts it. Here's HUD: 
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/discrimination_against_families_children
    On Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 07:39:45 AM PDT, Lisa Kuntz <lisa.kuntz [at] 
daybreakcohousing.org> wrote:  
 
 As far as I know, any cohousing seller must abide by the Fair Housing Act
guidelines:

At the federal level, the Act protects seven classes of people. That is
familial status, color, national origin, disability, race, religion, and
sex.

In addition to these classes, various states also have their own set of
additional protected classes. They include marital status, student status,
military status, age, source of income, sexual orientation, and creed.

That means that we can't state things like *Families preferred, or even We
love kids!, *for example.  That is considered to be discrimination. Even
words like *Mature individuals welcome, Walkable neighborhood *(it might be
walkable only for able-bodied people).

The basic guideline is that sellers provide information and let sellers
make their own decision based upon those facts. At Daybreak, we talk about
the reality that teams are the heart of our self-managed community and that
the social and physical fabric of our community is maintained by
participation. We give tours of the community, ask people to study our
website, and give potential buyers a chance to meet with  current
residents.  Curious buyers who ask lots of questions are the happiest
buyers!  We encourage questions and provide information so that they can
self-select.

Feedback appreciated!

Lisa Kuntz
Daybreak Cohousing




On Sat, Apr 8, 2023 at 4:48 AM Jana Lussier <janarlussier [at] gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Jana from Cherry Hill Cohousing in Amherst, MA here
>
> I am wondering if any of the cohousing communities have criteria that they
> put forward when houses come up for sale?
>
> For example certain demographics like families, certain age for buyers,
> financial diversity?
>
> Love to hear from other communities
>
> Thanks,
> Jana
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