# The HOA Paradox: Why Serving on a Homeowners Association Board is a Thankless Task

- Link: https://viralbrief.top/the-hoa-paradox-why-serving-on-a-homeowners-association-board-is-a-thankless-task/
- Published: 2026-10-28T08:18:18+00:00
- Author: Olamide

## The Burden of Amateur Governance

Homeowners associations (HOAs) have become a dominant force in American residential
life. By 2025, there were 373,000 community associations across the United States,
overseeing nearly 30 million housing units and 78 million residents. These entities
represent a massive financial ecosystem, collecting over $124 billion in assessments
annually—a figure roughly 1.5 times the total tax revenue of New York City. Despite
their scale, these organizations are typically run by non-expert, unpaid volunteers
who live in the very communities they govern.

For those who step into these roles, the experience is often described as a “pressure
cooker.” Lana Martin, a Los Angeles resident who joined her townhouse complex’s 
board to address a leaking roof, found herself managing vendor calls, fielding neighbor
complaints, and overseeing a property manager. The project, which required a $160,000
investment, led to significant friction with neighbors, some of whom threatened 
legal action. Martin eventually had to block the phone numbers of some residents
who were critical of the process.

## The Archetypes of HOA Leadership

According to Evan McKenzie, a political science professor at the University of Illinois
Chicago and author of _Privatopia_, HOA boards tend to attract two specific types
of people. The first are “reluctant pragmatists” who join out of a sense of civic
duty or self-defense. The second are “condo commandos,” individuals who view the
board as a platform to enforce their personal standards on how neighbors should 
live. When these groups collide—or when they face widespread community apathy—governance
often descends into conflict.

This dynamic creates a unique challenge. Unlike corporate boards, HOA directors 
are neighbors to the people they govern. This proximity means that personal relationships
often suffer. Some board members report being treated like an “unwitting customer
service desk,” receiving emails about minor issues at all hours of the day. In extreme
cases, such as that of attorney Olivia Horbowy, who joined her board after a dispute
over renovation fines, the environment can become hostile. Horbowy reported receiving
abusive emails from a fellow board member, including personal insults and accusations
of bribery, before that member eventually resigned.

## The Financial Crisis Looming Over Communities

Beyond interpersonal disputes, the most significant challenge facing HOAs is financial.
For decades, many boards kept monthly dues artificially low to appease residents.
Now, as housing stock ages and insurance premiums rise, these communities are facing
a reckoning. The situation is particularly acute in Florida, where a 2023 Senate
analysis found that over 900,000 condo units were at least 30 years old. Following
the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse, state regulations have tightened, mandating
structural inspections and preventing owners from voting to underfund necessary 
reserves.

This shift has forced boards to impose significant assessments, creating tension
between different demographics. Older residents on fixed incomes often prioritize
keeping costs low, while younger families may favor higher fees to fund improvements.
In some instances, this leads to difficult fiduciary decisions. Paul Vesely, a board
member for a Florida condo complex, noted that the association had to take out over
$2 million in loans to cover essential renovations. The board is now faced with 
the difficult task of collecting payments from residents who may be struggling financially,
including one owner dealing with cancer.

## A Cycle of Conflict

The disconnect between the desire for low costs and the reality of maintenance needs
often leads to absurdity. Andrew Simkovsky, who orchestrated a “hostile takeover”
of his Florida condo board to address financial mismanagement, found himself embroiled
in a heated debate over pet policies. Despite the building’s bylaws, pets had become
common over the years. When Simkovsky attempted to formalize rules for pets, he 
faced a revolt from residents who wanted them banned entirely.

For many, the role is a test of endurance. Whether it is dealing with petty grievances,
managing aging infrastructure, or navigating the legal complexities of property 
management, the work is rarely appreciated. As Lana Martin continues to navigate
the complexities of her board, she notes that even basic tasks, such as enforcing
parking policies, require constant negotiation. For those in the “belly of the beast,”
the reward is rarely gratitude; it is simply the hope that the work gets done.

**Source:** [businessinsider.com](https://www.businessinsider.com/why-everyone-hates-hoa-homeowners-association-board-members-2026-10)

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  TL;DR (AI Generated)

Homeowners associations manage millions of residential units across the United States
through unpaid, non-expert volunteer boards.

Serving on these boards frequently leads to intense interpersonal conflict and harassment
from neighbors due to the challenging nature of community governance.

Furthermore, many HOAs face a looming financial crisis caused by historically low
monthly dues and new mandates for structural repairs and inspections.

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