Tag Archives: privatization

City leaders consider public role in maintaining HOA infrastructure

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities To continue yesterday’s post about the decline of homeowners’ associations in the U.S., let’s take a look at a few examples of city governments that are now seriously reconsidering the wisdom of expecting HOAs to undertake and pay for repair and maintenance of their own private infrastructure. In these 40-50 year old communities, we can see that the privatization experiment has failed miserably. But now a new crop of Continue ReadingCity leaders consider public role in maintaining HOA infrastructure→

Two keys to ending HOA abuse

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Several months ago, inspired by offline discussions about the root causes of dysfunction and abuse in association-governed communities, I published Recipe for HOA abuse: too much power, no accountability here on IAC. At the time, several states were considering numerous legislative proposals aimed at holding homeowner, condominium, and cooperative associations more accountable. A few of those efforts produced new laws with some promise for housing consumers. One of the most Continue ReadingTwo keys to ending HOA abuse→

The High Cost of Failed Condominiums

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Blog On one end of the condominium spectrum are luxurious towers in world-class cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami – architectural wonders built for wealthy owners and  investors, located in the best parts of town with sweeping views from penthouse units. On the other end of the spectrum are basic low-rise apartment buildings and unremarkable townhouses. These are the condos that were marketed to first-time Continue ReadingThe High Cost of Failed Condominiums→

Poor oversight, maintenance of HOA dams result in SC flooding

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Blog I often blog about HOA problems with poorly constructed or maintained storm water systems. Most people don’t think about storm water drainage until it causes flooding or contamination of watershed areas. That’s because many components of a water flow control system are not readily visible: underground drain pipes, catch basins, swales incorporated into the landscape are some examples. Dams and weirs are important water control components that may Continue ReadingPoor oversight, maintenance of HOA dams result in SC flooding→