On Tuesday, Feb. 10, members of the Georgia Legislature hosted a press conference on the Capitol’s south steps. The subject was one many Georgians share: home.
State Representative Donzella James (D-35), State Representative Sandra Scott (D-76), and others spoke in support of three Senate bills that will provide protections to home and condo owners who pay Homeowner Association (HOA), Condo Owner Association (COA), and Property Owners Association (POA) fees. Senate Bills 106, 107, and 106 will provide those protections if they are passed, according to James, who says they are needed in order to help homeowners keep their properties.
“We have to address the problem of predatory HOAs. They don’t have integrity, many of them,” James said. “We are going to pass these bills this year; if not, we are going to appeal to the governor.”
James said all three bills have gotten bipartisan support.
“We are not saying don’t pay your HOA dues,” James added.
Scott, who represents parts of Clayton County, said she often hears from constituents who complain about HOA fees. Nearly 70% of Clayton County’s 300,000 residents are Black.
“We have received countless calls and emails because of how people are being treated by their HOAs,” Scott said. “No one should lose their home because of fees and assessments. No one should lose their home.”
Scott said that buying a home is part of the “American Dream,” and paying the mortgage and property taxes are the foundation of that dream and goal for many American families. For millions of Americans, buying a home is the largest purchase they will ever make.
One of those homeowners is Michael Shepherd, an HOA accountability advocate with The Watch Project. Shepherd shared his story of battling his HOA and how his case has cost him $3,000 thus far.
Georgia State Representative Viola Davis (D-87) also spoke about the necessity of the bills. She spoke about a senior constituent who has been to court 20 times to save her home from foreclosure due to accumulated HOA fees.
“These are some of the nightmares we have heard,” Davis said.
According to the United States Census Bureau data, 65% of households in Georgia are owner-occupied. Among those numbers, only 46-47% of Black households are owner-occupied, while 71-76% are owner-occupied by white people.
SB 106 is still under consideration by a Senate committee but is getting support, according to James. “Someone asked me why you have so many bills? James said. “Well, we have so many problems with HOAs.”