Earth Day is a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging us to come together and act for a healthier planet and brighter future. CAI is committed to and supports environmental and energy efficiency policies that recognize and respect the governance and contractual obligations of community association residents as the best mechanism to enact sustainable environmental policies. The core values of a community association lead to sustainability—good governance considers restrictive covenants, including eco-friendly practices. CAI and the U.S. Departme ..read more

Freddie Mac opened access to the list of condominium and housing projects it categorized as “not eligible status.” Condominiums and housing cooperatives may be placed in this category due to potential noncompliance with lending guidelines. Access is restricted to an authorized representative of a condominium association or housing cooperative.  Details can be found here.   Condominium project eligibility indicates whether mortgages in these projects are eligible for purchase by Freddie Mac. As of 2023, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac support around 70% of the mortgage market, accordi ..read more

April marks Fair Housing Month, and CAI is committed to equitable access to housing for all. We stand firm in our commitment to fostering diverse and inclusive communities in which everyone thrives, has a voice, and is part of the community. This commitment is not just a slogan but a core principle guiding our advocacy efforts and public policy initiatives. We believe every individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability, deserves fair and equal treatment when it comes to housing. It’s why we work constantly to promote policies that ensur ..read more

As of March 1, the Alabama Federal Court found the Corporate Transparency Act to be unconstitutional, and chaos ensued. Unfortunately, the court ruling doesn’t apply to community associations — condominiums, housing cooperatives, and homeowners associations.  According to the U.S. Department of Treasury, the only entities this court ruling applies to is the plaintiff, an individual business owner, and National Association of Small Businesses members as of the date of the court ruling.    CAI continues to advocate for an exemption from the act for all community associations ..read more

Now that the first quarter of the year is behind us, 10 states have officially adjourned for 2024. With 46 state legislatures convening in 2024, CAI’s legislative action committees (LACs) have been advocating on the state level to develop and maintain sound and effective public policies for the community association housing model. CAI’s Government and Public Affairs team is tracking more than 1,100 state bills impacting community associations across the United States. More than 7,180 emails have been sent to almost 500 state legislators and staff by CAI advocates promoting reasonable public po ..read more

This Saturday, March 23 is National Puppy Day, where dog owners and lovers come together over their shared appreciation for our four-legged companions. National Puppy Day is meant to raise awareness of the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year and help prospective pet owners consider adoption. Community association residents should know their association’s pet policies before getting a dog, especially those pertaining to assistance animals. Please note, assistance animals are not considered pets subject to restrictions from the community association’s governing documents. Most pet-r ..read more

Throughout the month of March, members of CAI’s Government and Public Affairs team spent time on Capitol Hill meeting with members of Congress to advocate for support of the 2023 Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act.(H.R. 1477/S. 722). This has been a multi-year initiative by CAI and several hundred other trade association groups that has led to the co-sponsorship and overt support of this legislation by 127 representatives and 22 senators. This bipartisan and bicameral legislation expands eligible uses of tax-favorable 529 savings plans to cover costs associated with workforce traini ..read more

Pi Day: an excellent opportunity to delve into the delectable world of pies… and community associations. Let’s explore specific data and statistics provided by the Foundation for Community Association Research. Demographic Diversity: A pie chart of the Foundation’s research reveals intriguing insights into the demographic makeup of community associations. Roughly, 73% of community associations in the U.S., are homeowner associations, while condominium associations make up 22%. Financial Management: Just as a baker carefully measures ingredients to achieve the perfect pie crust, community asso ..read more

In a stunning decision late last week a federal court ruled the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) unconstitutional.   On March 1, U.S. District Court Judge Liles C. Burke issued a 53-page opinion granting summary judgment in a lawsuit filed by the National Small Business Association. In his decision, Burke wrote the Corporate Transparency Act “exceeds the constitution’s limits on the legislative branch and lacks a sufficient nexus to any enumerated power to be a necessary or proper means of achieving Congress’ policy goals.”  The court then permanently directed the government to ..read more

CAI Legislative Action Committees (LACs) monitor state legislation, educate lawmakers, and protect the interests of those living and working in community associations. Each volunteer committee is comprised of homeowner leaders, community managers, and representatives from community association business partners. With 46 states in session in 2024, CAI LACs hosted advocacy and fly-in days with legislators in state capitals to educate them on sound public policy for the community association housing model. Here’s a roundup of recent activities to date: Illinois On Feb. 21, CAI Illinois Legislativ ..read more