Category Archives: Federal Housing Policy & Regulation

HOA Issue #11: Political influence of real estate developers: the heart of the HOA beast

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Real estate developers figured out a long time ago how to exert political influence over government officials and housing policy makers, from the local to the federal levels. For the past three years, IAC has provided more than 1,000 posts citing thousands of references to prove a point: The U.S. housing market is not determined by public need or consumer demand, but instead is heavily influenced by interested Continue ReadingHOA Issue #11: Political influence of real estate developers: the heart of the HOA beast→

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Exposing corruption in the affordable housing industry

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Do governments and private individuals spend affordable housing taxpayer dollars wisely? Critics say the industry is plagued by fraud and corruption. What exactly is “affordable housing?” How many times have you heard the industry claim that it’s essential to build condominiums in order to provide more affordable housing? Multiple meanings It depends on who is promoting affordability. Real estate agents and developers often sell home buyers on the concept that Continue ReadingExposing corruption in the affordable housing industry→

Can your HOA end neighbor on neighbor housing discrimination?

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50th anniversary fair housing HUD poster

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities As explained in a previous post, in 2016, HUD published a rule that clarified that association-governed boards and their managing agents have legal duty to prevent housing discrimination in their communities. Some industry leaders, including members of trade group Community Associations Institute (CAI), expressed strong disapproval of the Quid Pro Quo/Hostile Environment Rule. Some professional were spreading misinformation, insisting that HUD expected homeowners, condominium, and cooperative association leaders to Continue ReadingCan your HOA end neighbor on neighbor housing discrimination?→

HOA battles: homeowners stand up for their rights

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Two great articles to share today! Despite rumors you may have heard about apathy in HOAs, homeowners in Arizona and California are standing up for their rights, and going public with their fights against injustice.   California man takes a stand for free speech Patrick Foley, a San Diego resident of La Costa Valley, is taking a stand for free speech in his Master Homeowners’ Association. A few weeks Continue ReadingHOA battles: homeowners stand up for their rights→

How about some truly affordable non-HOA housing options?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Let’s explore some practical affordable housing options, looking outside the HOA Box. For more than forty years, real estate stakeholders have promoted their ideal of the association-governed corporate community. The trade groups at the forefront of this 50-year-old housing experiment have managed to build more than 344,000 association-governed communities, housing more than 70 million residents. According to estimated statistics provided by trade group Community Associations Institute (CAI), in 1970, Continue ReadingHow about some truly affordable non-HOA housing options?→