Sun City, Sun City West, El Mirage, Peoria, Avondale or Goodyear (Phoenix: homes, school district)

[thinkalot]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

It can be classified as age and familial status discrimination.

How do retirement communities get by with age restrictions when it's illegal anywhere else?

Because 55+communities are allowed by law. It isn't some type of loophole. There are specific laws for these communities. These communities have been around for over 50 years.

[phetaroi]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

It can be classified as age and familial status discrimination.

How do retirement communities get by with age restrictions when it's illegal anywhere else?

Here's my guess:

Age is a temporary situation. Unless we die early, we all get there. Racial discrimination is different; no matter how long you live, if you're Black or Latino or American Indian, you don't, at some point, turn White; the discrimination potential lasts a lifetime.

[Dewey59]

Java Jolt, are you really serious about this, or are you just trying to stir the pot? I really can't imagine a weaker position to argue from! Since there have already been several cogent arguments against your position which you seem to have dismissed, I suspect the latter.

[suzco]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

It can be classified as age and familial status discrimination.

How do retirement communities get by with age restrictions when it's illegal anywhere else?

The Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968)
Senior Housing

The Fair Housing Act (FHAct) protects all residents from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, handicap or familial status (families with children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal guardians; pregnant women and people trying to get custody of children under 18).

The "Housing for Older Persons" Exemption: The Fair Housing Act specifically exempts some senior housing facilities and communities from liability for familial status discrimination. Exempt senior housing facilities or communities can lawfully refuse to sell or rent dwellings to families with minor children. In order to qualify for the "housing for older persons" exemption, a facility or community must prove that its housing is:

Provided under any State or Federal program that HUD has determined to be specifically designed and operated to assist elderly persons (as defined in the State or Federal program); or
Intended for, and solely occupied by persons 62 years of age or older; or
Intended and operated for occupancy by persons 55 years of age or older.

In order to qualify for the "55 or older" housing exemption, a facility or community must satisfy each of the following requirements:

At least 80 percent of the units must have at least one occupant who is 55 years of age or older; and
The facility or community must publish and adhere to policies and procedures that demonstrate the intent to operate as "55 or older" housing; and
The facility or community must comply with HUD's regulatory requirements for age verification of residents.

The "housing for older persons" exemption does not protect senior housing facilities or communities from liability for housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, or national origin. . .

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by VikingFan

In this case, one persons discrimination is another persons freedom of association.

Absolutely right! Look at all the disrespect toward seniors, and how many younger people treat their own parents & grandparents. Once they start losing their memories, become a little grouchy, and develop health issues, they throw them in nursing homes because they don't want the responsibility of looking after them. If you want to get technical, all that could be classified as discrimination, but I don't hear the bleeding hearts getting upset about those things!

I wouldn't expect young families or children to have any kind of desire to live in the Sun Cities anyway. Why would they want to? They'd likely be bored to no end. Freedom of association might be considered a form of segregation, but it's a fact of life. I can't count the number of times I've heard younger people (both kids & adults) say things like, "ewwww, I don't want to be around those old geezers!" At the same time, many seniors rightfully don't want to be around young families and their obnoxious brats. Senior citizens/retirees have the Sun Cities to associate with their own age group, just like families with kids have any practically any suburban area to associate with their own kind. I see nothing wrong with it.

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

It can be classified as age and familial status discrimination.

How do retirement communities get by with age restrictions when it's illegal anywhere else?

Because they can and they will continue to do so. If you don't like it, you don't have to go anywhere near Sun City, Sun City West, Sun Lakes, or any of those other age restricted communities.

[Java Jolt]

I promise I'm not trying to stir the pot or cause controversy.

It's a legitimate question why age-restricted retirement communities aren't considered discriminatory when the housing laws are very specific about prohibiting similar restrictions in non-retirement areas?

My biggest issue is with older people who purposely live in Sun City and similar communities to avoid paying education taxes.

Most of them were educated in the public system through other people's taxes but now they refuse to fulfill their civic duty and contribute, this bothers me.

Maybe I'll understand the reasons better someday when I retire.

[wit-nit]

You do realize most of those retired people paid school/ppty taxes most if not all of their working lives, some as much as 50 years, not like those living on the dole today with taxpayer government assistance.

[VikingFan]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

I promise I'm not trying to stir the pot or cause controversy.

It's a legitimate question why age-restricted retirement communities aren't considered discriminatory when the housing laws are very specific about prohibiting similar restrictions in non-retirement areas?

My biggest issue is with older people who purposely live in Sun City and similar communities to avoid paying education taxes.

Most of them were educated in the public system through other people's taxes but now they refuse to fulfill their civic duty and contribute, this bothers me.

Maybe I'll understand the reasons better someday when I retire.

I believe most people move to Sun City for the community not to avoid taxes.

[GeneR]

Originally Posted by VikingFan

I believe most people move to Sun City for the community not to avoid taxes.

I don’t disagree with VF here but the tax issue is a major consideration. Taxes DO alter behavior. It may not be THE issue but it is certainly AN issue.

Tax considerations are behind most companies involved in what is now known as ‘inversions’. We see substantial evidence that companies are motivated by tax avoidance and it is certainly found in individuals as well. I have long said a major attraction of Sun City is it’s very low property tax base (and HOA fees).

There are a considerable number of ‘white papers’ on this topic of people voting with their feet (moving from higher to lower tax communities and states). See also:
AmosWEB is Economics: Encyclonomic WEB*pedia

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by GeneR

I don’t disagree with VF here but the tax issue is a major consideration. Taxes DO alter behavior. It may not be THE issue but it is certainly AN issue.

Tax considerations are behind most companies involved in what is now known as ‘inversions’. We see substantial evidence that companies are motivated by tax avoidance and it is certainly found in individuals as well. I have long said a major attraction of Sun City is it’s very low property tax base (and HOA fees).

There are a considerable number of ‘white papers’ on this topic of people voting with their feet (moving from higher to lower tax communities and states). See also:
AmosWEB is Economics: Encyclonomic WEB*pedia

In enters Arizonas proud race to the bottom.

People support schools until they move here, because what do they care?