Housing development to require residents to show patriotism with American flag

A new North Carolina housing development will require residents to prove their patriotism by flying an American flag year-round so patriotism can “live” there, too.

Developer Brock Fankhauser said people who buy homes at 1776 Gastonia, a 55-plus community about a half-hour outside Charlotte, have to agree to the so-called “1776 Standards,” WSOC-TV reported.

“Our vision is to combine the elements of American patriotism, homeownership as the American dream, and the founding ideals of our country,” Fankhauser told the outlet. “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

People of all political parties are welcome, but everyone is expected to embrace the US Constitution.

“It’s very important to us that this not be presented as a political movement, because it’s not,” Fankhauser said. “We are not beholden to any political figures and any political parties.”

But all residents must fly Old Glory, which is included in the price of the home, he said. Homes start at $450,000.

“E pluribus unum — out of many, one,” Fankhauser told WSOC. “My hope is years from now, people who live in these communities, that is their mantra, e pluribus unum.”

The project was launched by Great American Homes, an offshoot of local developer NewStyle Communities.

“Evoking a simpler time and the optimism inherent in the founding of the United States of America, 1776 Gastonia engenders a comfortable 55+ lifestyle built around a love of family and country, and the positive nature of looking forward while respecting the past,” Great American Homes says on its website.

“Our maintenance-free homes and communities seek to capture the hopefulness of starting a new venture while recreating the American spirit of a true community of close-knit neighbors who share patriotic values,” it adds.

Even the streets feature patriotic names, including Betsy Ross Drive, Paul Revere Drive and Constitution Lane.  

The development, which is expected to open in 2024, describes itself as an “America First community for freedom-loving Patriots.”

When asked what that means, company rep told the Charlotte Observer that 1776 Gastonia is governed by a set of standards that “specifically compel [homeowners] to promote, affirm and pledge their support for The United States of America, the Constitution, and to the nation’s motto of E Pluribus Unum.”

The “community standards” will be defined in the rules set by the homeowners’ association, said Kupper, who but stopped responding to the Observer when asked for a copy of the rules.

For many, the phrase “America First” is linked to former President Donald Trump, who uses it to describe his policy.

Though 1776 Gastonia’s website makes no reference to politics, Fankhauser made multiple donations to Trump’s 2020 campaign, according to federal filings cited by the news outlet.

Charlotte real estate lawyer Harmony Taylor told the Guardian that 1776 Gastonia’ appear to have “a pretty overt political agenda.

“In the United States in 2023, unfortunately, the flying of a flag or the mandating of an exhibition of patriotism in some way seems to have become aligned with a particular [far-right] political movement. And I don’t think that can be ignored,” she told the outlet.

Taylor questioned whether the plan was even legal, saying restrictive covenants were typically designed to protect purchasers’ rights.

“I believe there is a strong public policy against requiring someone to espouse a particular political view, and I can’t help but think that is different from telling someone to simply keep silent,” she told the Guardian.

“In my opinion, there is a real risk that the covenant requiring someone to fly a particular flag would be contrary to the public policy of the state of North Carolina and invalid,” Taylor added.

Fankhauser assured the Guardian that potential homeowners won’t undergo special screenings.

“There is no screening process that’s different than how one would buy a home in any other neighborhood. We’re only as strong as the pledges that individual homeowners make to one another,” he said.