As I consider where we are now that August has come to a close, all I can think to say is “Wow.” I am constantly amazed at how much interaction and connection I have with people through REHL. In four months, my website now has over a thousand visits. I’ve received many e-mails and social media messages from people and have made connections with many incredible people on the HOA abuse battlefront.
One group I want to make everyone aware of is “Colorado Property Owners United for HOA Reform & Representation.” They are holding a rally on Saturday, September 14 on the Capitol Building steps in Denver. It is very exciting to see what this group is doing and all the work they’re putting into demanding rights and protections for themselves and all Colorado homeowners. This is, of course, one of those small ripples that has grown to a larger one as in the quote I use from Robert F. Kennedy’s Day of Affirmation Address:
"It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice. He sends forth a tiny ripple of hope and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest wall of oppression and resistance."
It is hoped this becomes a nationwide movement. You can find out more about the Colorado group on their sub-page on my website:
www.residentevilhoa.com/coloradounited
The way to create ripples that grow into waves is to speak up. Share posts on social media that expose abuse, provide help for homeowners, and show which legislators are acting to protect us. Write to your legislators and implore them to address the lack of protections that homeowners have against abusive HOAs that have absolute power over them. And don’t give up if there’s no answer. Call to follow up. Request a meeting with them to make your case. If people are motivated enough to show up at the capitol in person to make their voice heard, it expresses the urgency of the matter. I know that’s not always financially or logistically possible, so if you live far from your capitol, perhaps your legislators can meet via an online meeting. At the least, you can schedule a phone call.
In the meantime, we can cheer on our friends in Colorado. I sincerely hope that eventually rallies can be held in every state.
In the meantime, REHL keeps building. I know that I haven’t been as active lately, but it’s because I’m working in the background on my own HOA battle and to build REHL as a business. Again, I will NEVER charge homeowners for consultation or information, but I do hope to accept donations, sell some merch, and publish an eventual book to try to offset costs. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it a thousand more times—I couldn’t do any of this without all of you. Hearing your stories gives me the drive to keep going so I can help you and others who live in HOA hell. It drives me to reach out to legislators to add one small voice to a growing demand protection and justice. It gives me the interest to dig deep into the research to try to learn as much as I can so that I can pass it on to all of you. Education is empowerment. The least I can do is try to be that connection people need to be able to fight and defend themselves.
I am grateful to you. You give me the hope and drive I need to keep working. I truly do feel that together, we can fix this.
All the best,
Amanda
