This project seeks to promote healthy coastal ecosystems, including for inland lakes, rivers and streams, by assessing knowledge, behavior, barriers, motivations, and education support needs for homeowners' associations (HOAs) and commercial property owners, related to stormwater and green stormwater infrastructure practices.
According to statistics from iProperty Management, there are 7,725 homeowners' associations (HOAs) in Minnesota and 26.7% of the state's population lives in HOAs. HOA communities offer a variety of housing types and prices for residents - townhomes, condominiums, single-family detached units, multi-family rental units, and senior housing - but can be challenging to work with from a stormwater management perspective. HOA boards and property management companies often lack the technical expertise to properly maintain stormwater and green infrastructure practices such as ponds, raingardens, and vegetated swales, and can also negatively impact water resources through their irrigation, lawn care, and winter maintenance practices.
Lessons learned through this research project and education materials developed in the future will berelevant for communities across Minnesota and in other states that are working with HOAs and commercial properties.