HOA Halts Construction of Paralyzed Army Vet's Home

[thundley4]

Plans to build a new home for a paralyzed Army veteran at no cost to his family have been put on hold by the local homeowners association.

The reason, said the president of the nonprofit homebuilding group, is fear that the home would drag down property values in the neighborhood.

The Evans, Ga., home was to be built for Army Sgt. 1st Class Sean Gittens (left), who was struck in 2008 by an IED blast on his second tour of duty in Iraq. The trauma left him paralyzed on the right side of his body and unable to speak.

It wasn't supposed to turn out this way. "This is the total opposite of what usually happens," said John Gonsalves, president and founder of Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit that builds homes for injured veterans. "We've met every requirement they've asked for," he told AOL Real Estate during a phone interview.

AOL News

Is there any doubt that HOAs are evil incarnate?

[compaqxp]

AOL News

Is there any doubt that HOAs are evil incarnate?

Nope. I make sure to stay out of any place with an HOA.

[IassaFTots]

That was one of my non-negotiable items when shopping for a house. No HOA.

[namvet]

what a shitty trick to pull on a vet. the paperwork wasn't up to snuff. bastards

[debk]

 

[CG6468]

Makes me wonder if the HOA was afraid of having a black person living there.

Just wondering...........

[Rebel]

This is right around the corner from me and, while "HOA stops disabled vet's home" is something that brings out the emotion and sells papers and ad space, that is NOT how it went down. AT ALL.

SFC Gittens had been renting in Knob Hill for a year now. He liked the area and the vet organization decided to build him his own home. The HOA was more than happy to have him there permanently. However, just like everyone, the builder had to submit plans that were in line with the covenants. The plan called for vinyl siding and a 2700 sq ft home all in a single story (HUGE footprint). The plan didn't pass the covenant. They were asked to modify the plans and the builder, as did the homes for vets people, became a little bitch and went to the press. Finally, after severe negative pressure from the press, they capitulated...even though it would make the HOA in violation of their own covenants. The Gittens decided they didn't want to be there anymore, most likely due to the whiny little bitch of a builder.

This was NOTHING but emotion on the builder's part. The HOA is not at fault. If you submit a plan to an HOA, and it doesn't pass, you modify. You don't whine up and down until they break their own rules. SFC Gittens won't be there forever and eventually the home will be for sale again. What will it do to the comps? I'm the biggest hater of HOA's, but they aren't at fault here. If it were such a f'ed up neighborhood, why in the hell would he rent there for a year and then decide to build there? Not to mention these neighborhoods in Evans are FULL of military, retired military, GS employees, combat vets, and others. This is the home of Fort Gordon and Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Southeast Regional Medical Command, afterall.

You will not find a more military-friendly area than Evans, Ga.

[Tucker]

This is right around the corner from me and, while "HOA stops disabled vet's home" is something that brings out the emotion and sells papers and ad space, that is NOT how it went down. AT ALL.

SFC Gittens had been renting in Knob Hill for a year now. He liked the area and the vet organization decided to build him his own home. The HOA was more than happy to have him there permanently. However, just like everyone, the builder had to submit plans that were in line with the covenants. The plan called for vinyl siding and a 2700 sq ft home all in a single story (HUGE footprint). The plan didn't pass the covenant. They were asked to modify the plans and the builder, as did the homes for vets people, became a little bitch and went to the press. Finally, after severe negative pressure from the press, they capitulated...even though it would make the HOA in violation of their own covenants. The Gittens decided they didn't want to be there anymore, most likely due to the whiny little bitch of a builder.

This was NOTHING but emotion on the builder's part. The HOA is not at fault. If you submit a plan to an HOA, and it doesn't pass, you modify. You don't whine up and down until they break their own rules. SFC Gittens won't be there forever and eventually the home will be for sale again. What will it do to the comps? I'm the biggest hater of HOA's, but they aren't at fault here. If it were such a f'ed up neighborhood, why in the hell would he rent there for a year and then decide to build there? Not to mention these neighborhoods in Evans are FULL of military, retired military, GS employees, combat vets, and others. This is the home of Fort Gordon and Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Southeast Regional Medical Command, afterall.

You will not find a more military-friendly area than Evans, Ga.

That certainly shines a different light on things.

HOA are still pure evil though. They have to be a liberal/socialist concoction. It has begun to filter down to the next level. They're now block associations. Everybody wants to be a Chief. We need regular Indians too.

[Rebel]

http://www.homesforourtroops.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8317&security=1&news_iv_ctrl=-1

After speaking with family members, she informed me that she would rather find a place where she felt more welcome.

Which is BS, Ms. Gittens. You rented there for a year and, after that year, decided you liked it so much and felt so welcome that you wanted to build a home there.

[Rebel]

As your Board of Directors, we want to advise you of an ongoing situation involving the Homes For Our Troops organization.

A veteran and his family, currently living in Knob Hill, are waiting for a home to be constructed on Knob Hill Circle. We have been discussing proposed plans with HFOT, but we still have not received plans consistent with your neighborhood covenants. HFOT has issued a press release that has led to negative comments about our neighborhood. We want to ensure you that we are considering both your interests and the interests of the veteran as we continue negotiations with HFOT.

Please understand that any suggestion that this Board of Directors does not welcome this deserving family into our neighborhood could not be further than the truth. Many of the board members are veterans themselves and many neighbors have expressed interest in this project. This is simply ensuring this deserving family receives the home consistent with the neighborhood covenants (and that they very much deserve)

We regret the negative comments and will continue to update you as appropriate.

Sincerely,
Knob Hill Board of Directors

http://knobhill.org/

[thundley4]

Thanks for providing more details , Rebel.  That sad truth is that too many HOA's have acted in ways to make them easy targets. 

[Rebel]

knob Hill could have used a better PR person, but they aren't in the wrong here.

[IassaFTots]

knob Hill could have used a better PR person, but they aren't in the wrong here.

As much as I can't stand HOA's (I am not good with stupid rules and regulations in general), I can also see that with all of the legit bad press they are getting right now, that some people might see that as a way to push their own agenda, knowing that the general public will pretty much almost always side with the person fighting the HOA.