2021 was a big year for CAI’s advocacy efforts and legislation relevant to the community association housing model. Community association leaders continued to turn to state laws and local mandates for guidance on holding virtual meetings, requiring use of face masks in common areas, and opening pools during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, calls to address racial injustice led to increased efforts to support fair housing, legislation to simplify the removal of racially restrictive covenants, and initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in workplaces and communities across the U.S.
On June 24, the partial collapse of the Champlain Tower South condominium in Surfside, Fla., left a wave of shock and devastation for our homeowner leaders, community association managers, and business partners. Following the tragedy, CAI made it a priority to provide information, resources, and public policy recommendations to community association leaders and legislators to address building maintenance, structural integrity, and reserve requirements for high-rises.
As we enter 2022, we are mindful of the importance of our work in building and maintaining communities that are preferred places to call home. Revisit the top 10 most read blog posts of 2021 and look forward to more content in the coming year by subscribing to the CAI Advocacy Blog. Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!
CAI Releases Public Policy Recommendations to Improve Condominium Safety
By Dawn Bauman, CAE | Nov 3, 2021
Following the tragic partial collapse of Champlain Tower South in Surfside, Fla., in late June, CAI convened three specialized task forces to explore changes to laws and best practices for the community association housing model that could help other communities prevent a similar event and to provide solutions for legislators addressing building safety in their districts.
Fannie Mae Releases New Project Requirements for Condominiums and Housing Co-ops
By Dawn Bauman, CAE | Oct 26, 2021
On Oct. 13, Fannie Mae released new project requirements for condominiums and housing cooperatives following the partial collapse of Champlain Tower South condominium in Surfside, Fla., in late June. The requirements, which become effective Jan. 1, apply to loans secured by units in high-rise buildings containing five or more attached units.
Latest Community Association Virtual Meeting Laws
By Phoebe E. Neseth, Esq. | Sep 23, 2021
Many states have passed legislation allowing virtual meetings for community associations after restrictions on in-person interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic forced boards, community managers, and professional business partners to conduct business remotely. With many communities preparing to hold their annual general meetings in the fall, those located in states where virtual meetings are now permitted must decide whether to hold them remotely or in person.
What Community Associations Need to Know about Reserve Laws
By Phoebe E. Neseth, Esq. | Jul 22, 2021
Following last month’s devastating partial collapse of the Champlain Tower South condominium in Surfside, Fla., many community association managers, boards, and residents are eager to understand state laws and regulations around reserve studies and reserve funding.
A reserve study is a budget planning tool—consisting of both a physical and financial analysis—that identifies the components an association must maintain or replace, the current status of the reserve fund, and a stable and equitable funding plan to offset anticipated major common area expenditures, according to the Foundation for Community Association Research’s Best Practices report on reserve studies and reserves management.
Standards, Best Practices, and Public Policy Following Surfside Condo Collapse
By Dawn Bauman, CAE | Jul 8, 2021
The past two weeks have been devastating after witnessing the partial collapse of the Champlain Tower South condominium in Surfside, Fla., learning of the lives that perished, and seeing the tragedy’s impact on survivors and those in the immediate community. An investigation into the cause of the condo collapse is ongoing; standards of practice and legal requirements related to ensuring maintenance and structural integrity of condominiums understandably are coming under scrutiny.
Supporting Condominium Communities in Wake of the Surfside Tragedy
By Dawn Bauman, CAE | Jul 1, 2021
After the tragic collapse of the Champlain Tower South condominium in Surfside, Fla., condominium association residents have questions about the safety of their own communities and are wondering how to protect their buildings. As the leading authority in community association education, governance, and management, CAI is providing information and resources regarding structural integrity, maintenance, and reserve funds.
Pride Month. Flag Day. What to know about community association flag displays.
By Dawn Bauman, CAE | Jun 10, 2021
June is Pride Month. This year, President Joe Biden has called upon Americans to recognize the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community, to celebrate their diversity, and for those who support LGBTQ+ rights to wave their pride flags high.
What Community Associations Should Know About Assistance Animals
By Phoebe E. Neseth, Esq. | May 13, 2021
In honor of May being National Pet Month, we offer a summary of what constitutes an assistance animal, laws and regulations that apply to their ownership, and the approach community associations can take to rules and regulations specific to these animals.
An Unfortunate Legacy: A Brief History of Racially Restrictive Covenants
By Dawn Bauman, CAE | Feb 18, 2021
February is Black History Month, a time when we recognize the contributions of African Americans throughout U.S. history and remember the challenges they have overcome and continue to face in the pursuit of equality. When it comes to housing, discriminatory practices such as racially restrictive covenants left a disheartening legacy for Black homeowners and, while legally unenforceable today, many of these covenants are still recorded on the historic deeds of individual homes and in community association governing documents.
Federal COVID-19 Laws Impacting Community Associations
By C. Scott Canady and Phoebe E. Neseth, Esq. | Apr 2, 2020
Several federal actions addressing COVID-19 are directly affecting community associations. Since President Donald Trump signed the March 13 proclamation declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak, federal regulatory agencies have mandated moratoriums on mortgage foreclosures and evictions, and instituted loan forbearance programs.
