The creators and developers of the homeowner association concept and legal structure (1964) immediately ran into problems and by 1973 had to form the Community Associations Institute (CAI) to resolve them. In 2000, CAI and ULI boasted of their long-term success in institutionalizing homeowners associations into the American fabric – HOA-Land. The subtitle of their self-congratulatory book reads: “The Emergence and Acceptance of a Quiet Innovation in Housing”.
After 58 years, the public, the legislators, the media, and the HOA boards of directors and vast majority of members have remained quietly accepting HOAs as a private form of local government.
“People could care less about the truth. People buy promises and dreams. They’ll do anything to avoid reality” (anonymous)
The above quote, reflecting human nature, gets to the very heart of the HOA-Land problem. It applies to all HOA members throughout America. In a sarcastic Nextdoor post, the writer expressed his feelings that my posts presenting justifications for restructuring HOA-Land were, in my words too cute. He didn’t want “to be in an association that George had anything to do with . . . and take his trouble making rhetoric to other lucky people.”
I responded:
“My HOA right or wrong! So what if it has violated state laws and the governing documents, and refuses to defend itself. So what! As long as the amenities keep coming and assessments stay low, I guess all is OK.”
I have high hopes that all HOA members will follow their conscience and do what is right for their community, their state, and for America. The alternative is a rejection of our democratic institutions, our constitutional government, and the principles and values that we, as Americans, stand for. The alternative is an acceptance of the HOA-Land Nation Within America.
HOA Constitutional Government 