Strong national public policies give community association advocates a powerful foundation for advancing the industry’s priorities in state capitals across the country. By establishing clear, consensus-driven positions on issues that affect community associations and the millions of people who live in them, CAI’s public policies equip legislative action committee members and industry advocates with credible, adaptable tools to inform policymakers, build coalitions and drive meaningful legislative outcomes at the state level.
CAI’s Government and Public Affairs team is thrilled to announce that CAI’s Board of Trustees has approved two new public policies and updated another, strengthening the advocacy resources available to CAI members and advocates nationwide. Following months of work by task forces on each of these issues, CAI’s Government and Public Affairs Committee has recommended the CAI Board of Trustees approve the following new and updated public policies:
*NEW PUBLIC POLICIES*
Housing affordability. CAI supports a balanced approach to housing affordability that expands access to homeownership while protecting the long-term financial health of community associations. Housing affordability requires more than simply building additional homes; it also requires policies that ensure existing communities remain financially sustainable and well-maintained. CAI supports flexible solutions that allow state and local governments, community associations, and stakeholders to address their unique needs rather than relying on one-size-fits-all mandates.
Community associations play an important role in providing homeownership opportunities for millions of Americans. This policy supports responsible development through thoughtful zoning reforms, streamlined permitting, and the construction of smaller and more energy-efficient homes. At the same time, new development and increased density should be carefully planned to ensure existing infrastructure, amenities, and association resources can support growth without placing unfair financial burdens on homeowners.
CAI also emphasizes that long-term housing affordability depends on the financial stability of community associations. Overall, CAI advocates for practical, locally driven solutions that balance housing affordability with responsible community governance and long-term community sustainability.
Community association ombudsperson programs. Increasingly, states are considering adoption of legislation to provide for government intervention in community association dispute resolution. This recommended new public policy states that CAI generally discourages the creation of state ombudsperson offices for community association disputes. These offices shift dispute resolution away from local, self-governed communities and into a more costly, complex, and state-administered process.
The proposed policy emphasizes that many association disputes arise from misunderstandings about governing documents, board responsibilities, and community association statutes. These misunderstandings often can be addressed more effectively through internal procedures or alternative dispute resolution. CAI’s proposed public policy recommends legislatures prioritize education, local problem-solving, and fair internal dispute processes rather than creating new state bureaucracies.
If a state chooses to establish an ombudsperson office, it should be structured carefully to remain neutral, focus on education, require exhaustion of internal remedies, limit its jurisdiction and authority, avoid unnecessary fees on associations, and include appropriate cost-sharing and procedural safeguards.
*UPDATED PUBLIC POLICY*
Sustainability and energy efficiency. CAI supports sustainability and energy efficiency policies developed and implemented at the community level rather than through one-size-fits-all state mandates. Community associations are best positioned to determine the environmental initiatives that align with residents’ priorities, governing documents, and financial resources.
The policy distinguishes between sustainability, the long-term goal of reducing environmental impacts, and energy efficiency, which focuses on using resources effectively to achieve sustainability. Associations are encouraged to incorporate sustainability into reserve planning, preventive maintenance, and capital improvement projects to evaluate energy-efficient, durable, and cost-effective solutions.
Overall, CAI advocates for legislation that empowers community associations to adopt reasonable sustainability and energy efficiency measures while preserving local decision-making authority. CAI believes that environmental progress is most successful when it is flexible, financially sustainable, and driven by the communities that will implement it.
These policies are more than statements of principle; they are practical advocacy tools used by CAI’s legislative action committees that help turn shared industry priorities into meaningful action. As policymakers in state capitals consider legislation affecting community associations, CAI members and advocates can leverage these national positions to strengthen their voices, build support, and advance solutions that benefit communities nationwide.
Together, we can ensure that community association perspectives remain at the table and that sound, forward-looking public policy helps communities thrive. CAI thanks its public policy task force volunteer members who worked tirelessly through 2026 to develop and update these public policies. Learn more about each of CAI’s more than 50 public policies here.
