Christian Seniors File Discrimination Complaint With H.U.D.
by Allie Martin
August 6, 2004
(AgapePress) - A Florida retirement community has been accused of violating state law and the Federal Fair Housing Act because the facility's management banned a group of seniors from meeting for worship in the common areas of the community.For several years members of the Savanna Club Home Owners Association in Port St. Lucie, Florida, have met in common areas of the retirement community for worship services. However, last month the board of the homeowners association voted to ban any religious services from Savanna Club common areas.
Barbara Weller is an attorney with the Christian Law Association, which is offering legal assistance to the retirement community members. "We've got about 85 or 95 people who have now filed complaints with H.U.D., the federal housing development agency," she says, "and we've made the complaint that this group is being discriminated against."
In this case, the lawyer notes, First Amendment rights may not apply, but the Federal Fair Housing Act does. "The fair housing laws require that everyone in a housing situation be treated the same," she says.
"Therefore, Weller explains, the Christian members of the Savanna Club Home Owners Association "need to be treated like everyone else, not only in being able to obtain housing in the retirement community, but also, once they're residents there, [being] able to use all of the community facilities on the same basis as everyone else."
Investigators for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (H.U.D.) will review the complaints and investigate the actions of the Savanna Club's board.
