Study: Florida Residents Say Community Associations Are "Good"

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 Floridians, according to the 2018 Homeowner Satisfaction Survey, conducted recently by Zogby Analytics for the Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR). The nationwide survey also closely examines the community association housing model in Florida, where research shows the majority (64 percent) of Floridians say their community association rules protect and enhance their property values. Eighty-two 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 homeowners surveyed live in single-family homes, followed by 17 percent who live in condominiums, and 14 percent who live in townhomes. Additionally, 62 percent of Florida community association residents say the fact that their homes are in a community association had “no impact” on their decision to buy or rent.

Florida community association residents in the data sample commented on other association benefits, including:

• The average amount of assessments, or “dues,” paid by Florida community association members per month is $101–$300. When asked about the amount they pay, 52 percent of Florida homeowners feel they’re paying “just the right amount” for assessments.
• Half of Florida community association residents say they get along “very well” with their neighbors.
• In addition, more than half (59 percent) of Florida community association residents say their community association manager provides value and support to them and the community as a whole.
• Nearly half (45 percent) of Florida community association residents “prefer no change” to state laws and regulations for governing community associations.
• Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of Florida community association members say they vote in national elections, and 58 percent say they “always” vote in state and local elections.

“The results of the 2018 survey confirm that community associations are ‘preferred places to call home’ and repudiates how the media often portray these communities,” says Thomas M. Skiba, CAE, CAI’s chief executive officer. “We know that from city-sized, master-planned communities to multi-building condominium complexes, today’s community associations are vibrant and diverse places that residents from all backgrounds, races, and religions call home. These residents are civically active and—most important— see a value in community association living.”

Today, 70 million Americans live in 344,500 common-interest communities, according to the 2017 National and State Statistical Review for Community Association Data. With 48,000 community associations housing 9.7 million residents, Florida has more community associations than any other state in the U.S.

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. Florida 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 Florida chapters.

The Foundation conducted similar surveys in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2016. Results can be accessed at foundation.caionline.org.