Homeowners Association Presidents Must Face Racial Bias Claims

Black residents of an otherwise all-White community in Indiana can go to trial on their discrimination claims against two presidents of their homeowners association, who repeatedly called them racial slurs and referred to them as “you people,” a divided Seventh Circuit said.

When Tonca and Terence Watters bought property in the Preserve at Bridgewater in Kokomo, Ind., Kate Mamaril was the president of the HOA. Her husband Ed took the job shortly thereafter.

When the Watters began construction on their home, Ed approached them and told them they weren’t welcome in the community. He called them “assholes,” asked why “you ...