Is THNA a homeowners’ association? No. It is a neighborhood association, and there’s a stark contrast between the two.
Residents are required to belong to an HOA and are mandated to pay dues, which typically start at $100 a month, and can be much higher. The HOA is concerned with the internal business of the association: maintenance of common areas and amenities; and enforcement of covenants, conditions and restrictions through regulating activities and imposing fines. The HOA has restrictions on how homeowners may conduct themselves and use their property. Residents who are out of step with their neighbors or who run into problems with the rules of the HOA have little recourse if the HOA decides to single them out for persecution. Punishment usually comes in the form of fines, which can eventually lead to a lien being placed against the property, and even seizure of the property. Homeowners may be unaware of the trouble they may be getting into if their grass it too tall, or if they plant the “wrong” kind of flowers, or if they paint their house the “wrong” color.
HOA dues primarily fund the maintenance of common areas and amenities, but also pay for the association’s legal fees when they file suit against residents. Fall a single day behind in paying your monthly dues and the association may slap you with a fine. In addition to dues, the HOA has very broad discretion in levying assessments against its members. Assessments are special fees to cover the costs of constructing and/or major repairs to infrastructure and recreational amenities. Assessments are above and beyond regular maintenance fees covered by the annual dues, and can range from less than $100 to several thousand dollars annually. Fail to pay the assessment and you get slapped with a fine.
The HOA is essentially a micro-government with very broad powers and little accountability to anyone outside the dominant voting faction. The HOA is supposed to be upfront with its members, and monthly meetings are supposed to be open to all members. At least in theory. However, HOA boards historically are stubborn about disclosure, and a common practice is actually to move meetings at the last minute to limit attendance and therefore limit questions from homeowners.
THNA is a voluntary organization comprised of interested citizens throughout the neighborhood. Membership is open to all who live in the community, homeowners and renters alike. Membership is not mandatory. Dues are only $25 a year, and those dues are the only source of funding. Of course, the more members THNA has, the more it can accomplish for the benefit of the whole community. As a neighborhood association, THNA does not have restrictions on activities and property use, other than those promulgated by City codes and the like.
THNA dues go into a general budget and the money is allocated for things that promote the commonwealth of the entire neighborhood, such as venues for entertainment and recreation, community social events, landscaping of common areas such as traffic islands and parks, signage announcing general meetings and other community events, printing the neighborhood newsletter, and maintaining the neighborhood website.
The mission of Terrell Heights Neighborhood Association is to preserve and protect the unique beauty and residential character of the neighborhood, to combat community deterioration, and to enhance the overall quality of life for the community as a whole. To accomplish its goals, THNA endeavors to: Work for the betterment of all neighbors whether they are paid THNA members or not; unite the people within our neighborhood by creating a sense of community through participation and involvement; foster pride in the neighborhood; create an environment where neighbors help neighbors; identify and resolve neighborhood issues related to crime, lande use, community services and/or code compliance in an organized and timely manner; and empower its members by providing a united voice to address issues with the City, developers, business entities, and non-member individuals that affect the quiet enjoyment of their homes.
