Dan Coulson, Press Secretary for Citizens for Free Enterprise, expressed concerns regarding Auburn’s plan to mandate homeowners’ association (HOA) rules. He said that such a mandate would increase costs and add bureaucratic hurdles, making it more challenging for developers to build and young families to purchase homes. Coulson shared his views with North East Atlanta News.
“Owning a home is an important part of the American Dream, but the City of Auburn’s plans to take away options, add red tape, and increase costs for aspiring homeowners will put that dream further out of reach for many young Georgia families,” said Coulson. “The City’s proposed mandates are out-of-step with the financial realities of most Georgians and should be reversed.”
The City of Auburn is considering an ordinance requiring all future housing developments to have a mandatory HOA. This move is expected to raise the cost of homes for potential buyers, as noted in the City of Auburn’s agenda and minutes. The proposed ordinance also includes a restriction that limits rental availability to 10% of units within a development.
According to NBC News, the median age of first-time homebuyers increased to 38 last year, up from 35 in 2023. This marks a significant rise compared to the 1980s when the average age was 29.
A survey conducted by Rocket Mortgage in 2023 revealed that 57% of residents in HOA communities are dissatisfied with their arrangements. CNBC reported that over 30% believe their HOA holds excessive power. Additionally, homes within HOAs are priced at least 4%, or $13,500, higher on average than those outside such associations.
Georgia ranks eighth in the nation for high HOA costs, with fees averaging $497 per month—$211 above the national average—according to Fox5Atlanta. This results in an additional expense exceeding $2,500 annually per household. Despite these costs, many HOAs claim they provide savings through shared services like landscaping and exterior maintenance.
Coulson is identified as Press Secretary for Citizens for Free Enterprise by X.
