Manassas redefines 'family' with their new (somewhat racist) ordinances.

Redefining 'family' is a national passtime these days [or international, really].

As I commented in another friend's LJ, it's not uncommon for local governments to toggle with the definitions of who can live in a single family dwelling, so that the other folks in the neighborhood won't be inconvenienced or disturbed. When I was a grad student at the University of Georgia, the Athens-Clarke County government made it so no more than two unrelated individuals could live in a house unless there were dependents or an employmer-employee relationship in place (we frequently joked we should hire friends as live-in maids). It was clearly designed to hit low income students and was a slap in the face particularly to unmarried students.

I understand the need for such legislation in extreme cases. This Manassas one does not, to me, seem like such an extreme case that requires this blanket change.

Oh, joy. My cousin was going to be living with us next semester. If my jurisdiction starts that nonsense, we'd be in violation then (OMG 3 PEOPLE IN A 2 BEDROOM HOUSE!).

See, this all stems from that sneaky ol' Fair Housing Act. The one where you can't put any restrictions on to whom you sell/rent your property on the basis of [pick something]. So, someone may buy a house, expecting to be able to house his or her extended family (Remember those "family values" the far right keeps whining about? Extended families living in one dwelling were part of that.) under one roof... only to be told they can't do so. Later. After they've made the purchase of said dwelling.

And, yes, I'm certain there are a few families (or people lying through their teeth about being related) that are causing some of the complaints. Betcha the complainers wouldn't take on a frat house, which, under the letter of that code, would TOTALLY vio... er. Getting off point. Nevermind.

Has the ACLU started to go after these municipal codes yet?

"Now, faced with the loss of rental income and with a $3,500 monthly mortgage to pay, Chavez said, they are going to sell. The family will never buy a house again, she said.
Chavez, who has two nephews in the military who served in Iraq, said she could understand having some kind of rule against overcrowding."

Shame Manassas, shame.