One toxic personality threatens to destroy voluntary HOA in historic neighborhood

Updated April 19, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities

The following article written by Sheehan Hannan, Cleveland Magazine, is a must read. It tells the story of social turmoil in once iconic Forest Hill, a historic Cleveland neighborhood with a voluntary neighborhood association.

The story gives us a glimpse of early HOAs, back in the days when neighborhoods were exclusive and homogenous, if not blatantly discriminatory. At that time, HOAs were known as neighborhood associations, common property was limited (Forest Hill shares some green space), and paying dues was relatively inexpensive and voluntary.

These days, according to Hannan, Forest Hill has evolved into a very diverse neighborhood that still retains its historic charm.

Out of 1,000 households, 41 members serve on Forest Hill’s board of trustees and various committees. But two-thirds of homeowners do not pay dues, and do not participate in HOA meetings or neighborhood activities.

Some HOA…