Homeowners Association is going viral on Twitter after users exposed HOA’s for its racist history.
Last week, a Twitter user posted a picture of his neighbor’s yard, accumulating over 24 million views. He referred to a “pile of trash” by the garage door and implied that leaving trees untrimmed and weeds uncontrolled is what you get without an HOA. In fact, the moral of his story was that he’ll “never live in a neighborhood without the rules.”
An HOA is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers and a governing body that makes and enforces rules in some residential communities. They share a common interest in a subdivision of homes, condominium complex, high-rise, or planned unit development. After purchasing the home, owners becomes members of the Association and are required to pay fees on a monthly or annual basis.
While 53% of all homeowners live in HOA communities, not all residents want to abide by the rules that have reflected systemic racism since its creation. Experts say that the racist origins of HOA traces back to redlining, designed to keep people of color out of certain neighborhoods.
According to Business Insider, the associations were first created by white Americans in the 1950s
and came into prominence during the 1960s. They gained popularity for preserving privilege by discriminating and harassing against people of color as well as its “racially restrictive” language in their documentation. Whether you’ve purchased the house or looking forward to it, HOA discrimination can take place anytime during the process. For example, homeowners of color may still face petty violation fees and harassment.There are often regulations regarding fencing type
and height limits, the addition of outdoor structures, decks, or pools, home maintenance standards, and more. One user shared her experience of living in an HOA. She spent 14 years following rules that even prevented her from hanging her laundry on a clothes line.RELATED CONTENT: The Difference Is Clear: Appraisal of Same Home Quoted $350K for White Homeowner, $310K for Black Partner