Community associations remain the preferred housing choice for millions of Americans, according to 2026 predictions. The housing market is expected to build on the gradual stabilization that began in 2025 and see improvements in inventory, home sales, prices, and mortgage rates.
In 2026, the Foundation for Community Association Research projects 3,000 to 4,000 new condominium communities and homeowners associations will be built, growing the total number of associations in the U.S. from approximately 373,000 at the end of 2025 to as many as 377,000 in 2026. Community associations, which include homeowners associations, condominiums, and housing cooperatives, now represent one-third of the U.S. housing stock.
The Foundation’s U.S. National and State Statistical Review estimates nearly 80 million Americans call community associations home.
The HOA model continues to play a central role in accommodating new residential growth. Developers, planners, and local governments increasingly rely on planned communities, condominium associations, and cooperatives to deliver housing while supporting infrastructure and service needs.
“After several years of market disruption, housing conditions are moving toward a more stable and predictable environment,” says Jake Gold, CAE, executive director of the Foundation. “Community associations continue to demonstrate resilience through economic cycles, offering a housing option that balances affordability, shared services, and long-term community investment.”
Dawn M. Bauman, CAE, chief executive officer at Community Associations Institute, says the data shows that community associations living remains a practical and attractive option for millions of homeowners, offering stability, shared responsibility, and a structure that supports sustainable growth. “Community associations continue to provide a durable housing framework at a time when communities are navigating affordability pressures, infrastructure demands, and long-term planning challenges,” she adds.
Several trends are likely to shape the 2026 housing market, according to the Foundation:
- Rising inventory levels. Most economic and housing analysts expect housing inventory to increase in 2026, supported by steady new construction activity and more homeowners listing properties as mortgage-rate pressures ease.
- Continued recovery in home sales. Sales activity is expected to strengthen following the improvements seen in 2025, as affordability gradually improves and buyers return to the market.
- Modest price appreciation. Home prices are projected to grow 2–3% nationwide, reflecting a more balanced market and slower inflation in the housing sector.
- More predictable mortgage rates. Mortgage rates are expected to continue stabilizing, with some forecasts projecting a shift toward the mid-5% range by late 2026.
- Sustained construction activity. New housing construction is expected to remain close to long-term historical norms. While it won’t fully resolve the national supply shortage, continued building will help ease inventory pressures, especially in high-growth regions.
Data from the 2024 Homeowner Satisfaction Survey, conducted by Zogby Analytics for the Foundation, highlights homeowners’ positive experiences in homeowners associations, condominiums, and housing cooperatives:
- Overall experience. Eighty-six percent rate their experience as very good or good (60%) or neutral (26%).
- Governance. Eighty-two percent believe their elected governing board serves the community’s best interests.
- Management support. Seventy-two percent say their community manager provides valuable support.
- Property value protection. Eighty-seven percent say their association’s rules protect or enhance property values.
>>For more community association statistics, visit the Foundation’s Community Association Fact Book.
>>View more data from the 2024 Homeowner Satisfaction Survey.
