Since the 1970s, community associations have been a popular housing choice for people around the world—and the number of new condominium communities and homeowners associations is expected to increase by more than 3,000 in 2024, according to projections by the Foundation for Community Association Research, an affiliate organization of Community Associations Institute (CAI).
Freddie Mac took a giant step toward transparency last week when it announced sweeping changes to its condominium and housing cooperative financing system. The government-sponsored enterprise that underwrites mortgages is introducing a tool that indicates whether a community is “certified” for financing or “not eligible”—and providing guidance that explains why a community may not be eligible.
In July, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac released updates to project eligibility standards for condominiums and housing cooperatives. It is critically important for condominium and housing cooperative projects to have access to loans that will meet Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac qualifications. CAI continues to provide specific feedback regarding the requirements.
The partial collapse of Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Fla., on June 24, 2021, killed 98 people and is considered one of the worst building disasters in U.S. history. The tragedy spurred CAI into action, galvanizing members and staff around condo safety. Over the past two years, CAI has educated community association residents, board members, managers, business partners, legislators, and regulators about structurally sound and fiscally responsible communities.
Aging condominium buildings and infrastructure has been a growing concern over the past year, following the tragic partial building collapse at Champlain Towers South Condominium Association in Surfside, Fla., in June 2021. Learn more about condo safety legislation, laws, and regulations, and how CAI is advocating for sensible public policy.
