HOA is short for Homeowners Association, which is an association that charges a monthly or annual fee for maintaining and improving properties. These fees can cover common utilities such as water, sewer, and garbage disposal. They can also cover landscaping, swimming pools, community clubhouses, and tennis courts. As new houses are built, especially in Oregon, HOA fees are becoming more common than just in condominiums and apartment buildings. These fees can be beneficial to creating a clean environment for families to live in, but cause a growing problem in the increase of cost of HOA fees. Along with the increase in the cost of living and housing, HOA fees have also increased to an enormous level. HOA fees never go away even after paying a house off and make homeowners follow strict rules in their communities with the threat of large fines if they are not followed. I believe that HOAs charge fees that can be helpful to the community, but that they need to lower their fees to a level that homeowners can afford, especially in a time when everyone is struggling to make ends meet.

In Portland this year, HOA fees can range from around $185.00 in a 500 sq. ft. property to around $740.00 in a 2000 sq. ft. property a month in condominiums, apartments, and new housing developments (“Average HOA Fees in Portland 2021”). These fees do not include rent, car insurance, power costs, and sewer. HOA fees can deeply cut into your savings and make paychecks go towards community caretaking rather than food or clothing. HOA fees in Portland just last year were averaged at $165.00 for a 500 sq. ft. property to around $660.00 for a 2000 sq. ft. property (realestateagentspdx.com). Even in one year, the prices of HOA fees (in Portland for example) have risen to become even more unaffordable. Even though Portland is known for being more expensive in Oregon, the rise of HOA fees is currently going up everywhere in the state, adding to the uncertainty homeowners have towards paying their bills on time. 

Especially during these past few years, job uncertainty has grown to almost hit every household’s dinner table. Rent has been put on hold to help many families, but it isn’t enough for most. Families moving together have started looking for more space for their growing household, and find that the prices of houses or other properties are even unaffordable. They become trapped into renting their apartments, houses, and condos to have a place to live while they are forced to continue to pay their HOA fee for services they may not even want. Property owners cannot legally get out of paying the fee and can get fined if they miss their payment. Some things that can occur to a homeowner or renter if they don’t pay their HOA fees include: charging interest and late fees, being banned from using community facilities, getting sued for a money judgment, and foreclosure on a lien that is placed on the property (lawyers.com).

The homeowner association is helpful for keeping neighborhoods and properties taken care of and clean. Some even have community facilities such as pools, tennis courts, and family-friendly parks for residents to enjoy. Although these can be beneficial for families to use, HOA fees are still growing and becoming more and more out of hand as time continues. Families are already struggling to pay their bills, and the addition of extra fees is straining their savings to a max. HOA fees need to be lowered to be more affordable, and become more optional for families trying to make ends meet.