Soldier in Iraq Loses Home over $800 Debt

[Capt. Jack]

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Michael Clauer is a captain in the Army Reserve who commanded over 100 soldiers in Iraq. But while he was fighting for his country, a different kind of battle was brewing on the home front. Last September, Michael returned to Frisco, Texas, to find that his homeowners' association had foreclosed on his $300,000 house—and sold it for $3,500. This story illustrates the type of legal quagmire that can get out of hand while soldiers are serving abroad and their families are dealing with the stress of their deployment. And fixing the mess isn't easy.

Michael went on active duty in February 2008 and was sent to Iraq. After he shipped out, his wife May slipped into a deep depression, according to court documents. "A lot of people say that the deployment is more stressful on the spouse than the actual person who's being deployed," Michael, 37, says in an interview with Mother Jones. May Clauer had two kids to take care of—a ten-year-old and a one-year-old with a serious seizure-related disorder. In addition, she was worried sick about her husband. Michael's company was doing convoy security in Iraq—an extremely dangerous job.

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http://motherjones.com/politics/2010/05/soldier-iraq-loses-home-homeowners-association-foreclose

http://www.foreclosurehamet.org

[neverforget]

1. I can't believe a HOA has that amount of power. That is truly scary.

[arbusto_baboso]

2. They do and they readily abuse it. Also: WAY TO SUPPORT THE TROOPS!

[Gormy Cuss]

3. They do and it's apparently becoming more common.

Here's another thread this week, same topic, different circumstances.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8428073&mesg_id=8428073

[tammywammy]

4. The Legislature is supposed to take this up during the next session

Lots of outrage about HOAs foreclosing on people.

[joe black]

5. Maybe we need to start an emergency escrow fund.

Hear at DU to help these people out.