On Being Festive

B y E b o n y H a l l

Did you know 71% Of Americans identify as Christians? People of the Mormon and Jewish faiths account for about 2% each, followed by Muslims at less than 1%. About 24% identify as non-Christian or non-religious. (Pew Research.)

Looking at those numbers, it's obvious many of your residents will observe a religious celebration this month. There are several on the calendar.

Hanukkah (Chanukah): December 3-10, 2018

Solstice: December 21, 2018

Festivus: December 23, 2018

Christmas Eve: December 24, 2018

Christmas Day: December 25, 2018

Kwanzaa Week: Dec. 26, 2018 - Jan. 1, 2019

Menorah for Hanukkah

The list goes on. Some will not celebrate anything. Everyone is different. As a result, holiday decorations are a point of concern each year. Navigate's Property Management team knows this very well.

Over the past few years, there has been an issue of being able to display Holiday decor," says Property Manager Valerie Mayfield. "We decided residents can decorate their windows and doors but not the hedges, common areas or grounds."

Family observing Hannukah

Be Festive. Not Religious.

Religion is a protected class under the Fair Housing Act. That means being aware of how holiday decorations and greetings within your community can leave some residents feeling left out and even litigious.

The U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development (HUD) prohibits "inherently religious activities" for any organization receiving direct HUD funds.

HUD's guidance from 1995 points out several "secularized terms or symbols relating to religious holidays such as Santa Claus, Easter Bunny or St. Valentine's Day images, or phrases such as "Merry Christmas", "Happy Easter", or the like does not constitute a violation of the Act."

"Nativity scenes, crosses, Bibles, “Happy Birthday Jesus” signs, and Stars of David are all definitely religious in nature," according to SanDiego.gov, "rather than secular and should be avoided in public areas of a housing facility. "

So, it's okay to be festive this holiday season. It is, of course, the most wonderful time of the year. Just remember different people celebrate in different ways.

Kinara for Kwanzaa

WHAT DO YOUR HOUSE RULES SAY?

Some agencies spell out what types of decorations residents can put up. Here are some tips from various agencies and law firms around the web. The best advice we can offer? Check with your attorney.

...the department emphasized that those rules must be evenly enforced and give equal consideration to all religions to avoid a discriminatory effect on residents based on their faith or interfering (sic) with their ability to practice their religion.

-FairHousingCoach.com

Don’t overreact. The holiday wish for peace on earth may be beyond reach, but peace within your community should be achievable.

-Meeb.com

The appearance of a property to the public is the responsibility of management. If the residents decorate the lobby and front door, therefore, management should exert some control over the type of decorations used.

-SanDiego.gov