A new study by the Foundation for Community Association Research shows 89 percent of California homeowners living in condominium or homeowners associations rate community association living as 'very good' 'good' or 'neutral.'
Community associations, commonly referred to as homeowners associations (HOAs), condominiums, housing cooperatives, and mixed-use communities, remain preferred places to call home for nearly 10 million Californians, according to the 2018 Homeowner Satisfaction Survey, conducted recently by Zogby Analytics for the Foundation for Community Association Research. The nationwide survey closely examines the community association housing model in the U.S. and further compares the sentiment and feelings among California homeowners in the state's 45,900 homeowners associations and condominium communities.
According to the survey, a significant majority of (87 percent) Californian association residents say their community association rules protect and enhance their property values. Eighty-four percent of those surveyed expressed that neighbors elected to their community's governing boards “absolutely" or “for the most part" strive to serve the best interests of the community.
Nationwide, 63 percent of association homeowners surveyed live in single-family homes, followed by 17 percent who live in condominiums, and 14 percent who live in townhomes. Additionally, most California residents say that “maintenance-free" living is the best thing about a community association.
California community association residents in the data sample commented on other association benefits, including:
- The average amount of assessments, or “dues," paid by California community association members per month is $101–$300. When asked about the amount they pay, nearly half (47 percent) of California homeowners feel they're paying “just the right amount" for assessments.
- Higher than the national average (81 percent), 83 percent of California homeowners say they're on “friendly terms" with their current community association board.
- Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of California community association residents say their community association manager provides value and support to them and the community as a whole.
- More than half (66 percent) of California community association residents “prefer no change" or “less government control" to state laws and regulations for governing community associations.
- The majority (66 percent) of California community association members say they vote in national elections, and 60 percent say they “always" vote in state and local elections.
“The results from California serve as a good barometer as we examine the sentiments and tone for millions of homeowners and renters living in the nation's community associations," says Thomas M. Skiba, CAE, CAI's chief executive officer. “We believe that today's community associations are vibrant and diverse places that residents from all backgrounds, races, and religions call home. By closely examining California, which has more community associations than any other state except Florida, we are better able to understand and identify emerging trends and potential challenges that confront today's community association housing model nationwide."
Today, 70 million Americans live in 344,500 common-interest communities, according to the 2018 National and State Statistical Review for Community Association Data.
Community Associations Institute (CAI) is the only global organization establishing standards and offering best practices and world-class education for community association board members and managers. California has eight CAI chapters across the state delivering critical resources, information, and guidance to people living and working in the state's community associations. Visit www.caionline.org/chapters for a complete list of California chapters.
The Foundation conducted similar surveys in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2016. Results can be accessed at foundation.caionline.org.
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About Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR)
The Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR) was founded in 1975. FCAR is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and conducts research and makes that information available to those involved in association development, governance, and management. FCAR provides authoritative research and analysis on community association trends, issues, and operations. Our mission is to inspire successful and sustainable communities. We sponsor needs-driven research that informs and enlightens all community association stakeholders—community association residents, homeowner volunteer leaders, community managers, and other professional service providers, legislators, regulators, and the media. Our work is made possible by your tax-deductible contributions. Your support is essential to our research. For more information, visit foundation.caionline.org.
About Community Associations Institute
Since 1973, Community Associations Institute (CAI) has been the leading provider of resources and information for homeowners, volunteer board leaders, professional managers, and business professionals in 344,500 homeowners associations, condominiums, and co-ops in the United States and millions of communities worldwide. With nearly 40,000 members, CAI works in partnership with 36 legislative action committees and 64 affiliated chapters within the U.S., Canada, United Arab Emirates, and South Africa, as well as with housing leaders in several other countries, including Australia, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. A global nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization, CAI is the foremost authority in community association management, governance, education, and advocacy. Our mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership, and responsible citizenship—ideals reflected in community associations that are preferred places to call home. Visit us at www.caionline.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook @caisocial.