Green Initiatives Every HOA Should Consider

5/3/2024 (Permalink)

Green Initiatives for HOAs

Homeowner’s associations (HOAs) benefit homeowners, especially in large neighborhoods. While not for everyone, an HOA can be a great way to organize and enforce community standards to keep neighborhoods clean and safe.

Although HOAs differ from neighborhood to neighborhood and state to state, most seek ways to work more efficiently. This generally means saving money for residents who pay fees while providing community services.

The Benefits of “Going Green”

One way for an HOA board to pursue efficiency is to look to green initiatives. Sometimes referred to as “going green”, green initiatives involve adopting environmentally friendly policies.

For HOAs, this can mean implementing recycling program policies or requiring green irrigation systems to save money and water in the long run. HOAs can also encourage residents to invest in energy-efficient appliances that use less electricity to reduce the load on the local grid.

If you’re involved with an HOA in your community and would like to explore eco-friendly initiatives, below are some simple ways to go green for HOAs:

Involve the Community

Among the top ways for HOAs to go green is to involve the community. After all, part of managing an HOA is engaging with members to meet their needs. Community events can host members of an HOA but can also be open to the public. The latter approach can be a good way to introduce your HOA to non-members and attract new residents to a neighborhood.

By organizing and hosting green events like community garden planning and roadside trash cleanup events, you can make your neighborhood cleaner while putting a human face on your HOA. Community events are also a wonderful opportunity to educate residents about how they can support green initiatives, like installing solar panels or solar-powered devices or using eco-friendly landscaping and drought-resistant plants to reduce water usage.

Partner With Companies That Adhere to Sustainable Practices

Another way to commit your HOA to creating an eco-friendly community is to work with companies that adhere to sustainable practices. For example, suppose renovations are taking place in common areas such as clubhouses that have water damage. In that case, your HOA can look for a reliable restoration company that uses sustainable practices during cleanup and recovery services.

This doesn’t mean you have to disqualify companies that don’t use sustainable practices. Still, it does mean that looking for companies that use eco-friendly practices can help support green practices in the community your HOA oversees. Working with companies that align with your HOA’s views can lend credibility to your commitment to sustainable communities.

You can simply ask whether a company supports green initiatives, but many post information about their policies online. If you’re interested in working with a company, check its website and look for mission and core values statements. These can sometimes provide information about a company’s stance on green initiatives, even if a website does not directly provide answers.

Check With Local Organizations About Incentives

Some states and communities offer incentives for going green, and HOAs may be able to take part. For example, a green initiative from your state may provide rebates or financial incentives to transform community buildings into green buildings. Although many incentive programs are aimed at individual homeowners who take steps toward saving energy, some organizations or management company interests may qualify.

Your local government may also offer programs that provide incentives or recognition for taking steps toward an eco-friendly future. Some towns have funding to renovate or retrofit older technologies and houses to make them more environmentally friendly.

If you participate in initiatives like rebate programs, make sure you read the fine print of incentive offers. Most government-sponsored programs have specific qualifications and deadlines to be met to participate. Failure to follow the rules and regulations of these initiatives to the letter can result in the forfeiture of any incentives.

Rethink Your HOA Office Protocols

While there are plenty of ways for HOAs to go green regarding the communities they manage, you can also work on making a green transition within your HOA office. Consider ditching paperwork by switching to digital messages and emails for a paperless office environment. You can also look at your HOA office computers and other technologies to see if eco-friendly alternatives exist.

If your HOA office is older, opportunities may exist to upgrade certain areas with sustainable electrical system components or plumbing. Changing out light fixtures from incandescent bulbs to energy-efficient LEDs may save energy usage, and low-flow toilets may use less water than traditional toilets. This can also be a good time to have a building inspection completed to see if any types of toxic materials are present that can be removed and replaced.

Taking steps to renovate your office now can pay off in the coming years as your office may use less water and electricity. Green buildings also support your commitment to eco-friendly policies, which can make it more likely that residents of your community will abide by these policies.

Review Enforcement Mechanisms First

As you explore ways to go green for HOAs, you’ll also want to consider enforcement mechanisms. Requiring residents of your community to keep their lawns cut is one thing, but requiring residents to recycle may not be an actionable policy. Now would be a good time to review your HOA’s policies to determine what each resident has agreed to and what changes may be allowed going forward.

You’re also encouraged to consult with your HOA’s attorney to clarify what is and is not allowed regarding enforcement mechanisms for green initiatives. Even if your policy manual allows for certain enforcement mechanisms, legal considerations may need to be accounted for before you implement green initiatives or community requirements.

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