community on the edge help

Started by PeterM11 • 5 replies • 1319 views

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PeterM11 (New York)
Posts: 1

Posted:

I have been recently appointed to board of a complex that is in need of help. when the down turn in the housing market hit in 2008, many units in this complex went into foreclosure and were boarded up. people stopped paying dues and the grounds were neglected. since then investors have come in and bought many units up and renting them. there are swatters in abandoned units and criminal activity. now as of today. repairs have been made, some dues are being collected but we are still lacking the community feel. its renters vs homeowners. people are afraid to come out of the houses and any new grass or flowers get run on by local kids. there has not been a homeowner that bought since 2008. do we let go and let this be a renter community or how can we slowly change back to a community. any suggestions

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Organize a volunteer day. Have a neighborhood party every now and then. Encourage community by acting as a community. Plus who says anything is wrong or needs improving? You may find that as a reaction if you try. It can take one person to break the mold and show what they want to make others change. For example, go gardening. Someone sees you or others putting out flowers, they may do the same. Starting a small gardener's club.

Always start small and don't expect too much. Be careful of creating a "neighborhood watch". That is never ever to be funded by the HOA. However, that does allow renters and owners work together despite the membership "rule".

Former HOA President

JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Peter

No new purchaser since 2008 says to me the place is the pits and no one wants to live there. I say look for a developer to buy all owners out making it strictly rental.

CyrstalB (Maryland)
Posts: 457

Posted:

Peter, just an observation from a societal stand point, and on a true "debbie downer" note, you nor any other neighborhood will ever have nor can they achieve the sense of community that you, myself and others would like to have. The one's that anyone over the age of 40 grew up in. And this has nothing to do with "renters" or "owners" or "investors".

It's because as a society we have been programmed to distrust everyone we come in contact with, and combine that with the uber entitlement that so many feel and now add to that how so many people look down their noses, with great pleasure mind you, at renters. The snobbery at that level will never go away.

America will never see the community sense again.

SueW6 (Michigan)
Posts: 814

Posted:

Peter - you need to investigate whether If your HOA corporation still exists!!

If so, it is supposed to be run by an elected Board.

Find your CCR's and bylaws and see what's up.

If someone has bought up the complex, there's no harm in forming a "renter's advisory" from the residents who care as much as you do.

PS Seems like a playarea or playground is needed.

KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By PeterM11 on 03/21/2016 10:43 AM
I have been recently appointed to board of a complex that is in need of help. when the down turn in the housing market hit in 2008, many units in this complex went into foreclosure and were boarded up. people stopped paying dues and the grounds were neglected. since then investors have come in and bought many units up and renting them. there are swatters in abandoned units and criminal activity. now as of today. repairs have been made, some dues are being collected but we are still lacking the community feel. its renters vs homeowners. people are afraid to come out of the houses and any new grass or flowers get run on by local kids. there has not been a homeowner that bought since 2008. do we let go and let this be a renter community or how can we slowly change back to a community. any suggestions

Get out of this neighborhood. It's changed. That's not be negative.

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