CAI updates policy playbook on housing, ombudspersons and sustainability

Community Associations Institute has released new and updated public policies on housing affordability, community association ombudsperson programs, and sustainability. The guidance is aimed at lawmakers weighing proposals that could affect nearly 1 in 4 Americans living in community associations nationwide.

Why it matters: - Community Associations Institute is trying to shape legislation that affects homeowners, condo boards and community associations across the U.S. - The policy changes address costs, dispute resolution and long-term upkeep in communities that house nearly 1 in 4 Americans. - The guidance focuses on issues that can affect affordability, governance and resilience over time.

What happened: - Community Associations Institute announced new and updated public policies on housing affordability, community association ombudsperson programs, and sustainability and energy efficiency. - The announcement was made in Los Angeles on August 25, 2026. - Dawn M. Bauman, CAE, CAI’s chief executive officer, said policy decisions in these areas can directly affect homeowners and the communities where they live. - Bauman said healthy communities should be affordable to enter, financially sustainable to live in, fairly governed and resilient for the future.

The details: - CAI’s new housing affordability policy says condominiums are an important source of housing and a path to homeownership, especially in markets with fewer affordable options. - The housing policy says affordability includes more than the purchase price. - Monthly assessments, insurance, reserve contributions, maintenance and major building repairs all shape long-term ownership costs. - CAI urges lawmakers to weigh those ongoing costs when considering housing policy. - CAI backs policies that let condominium communities fund shared infrastructure and future repairs adequately. - CAI says sound financial planning can help reduce unexpected special assessments and support long-term housing affordability. - CAI’s ombudsperson policy applies to states that create or expand programs to help homeowners with education, assistance and dispute processes. - The policy supports homeowner education, fair internal procedures and alternative dispute resolution before state intervention. - The policy says ombudsperson programs should remain neutral and have clearly defined authority. - The policy says homeowners should first use available internal remedies. - The policy says programs should avoid unnecessary costs or administrative requirements for homeowners and community associations. - Rising utility, insurance, maintenance and infrastructure costs are increasing pressure on community association budgets. - CAI’s updated sustainability and energy efficiency policy supports communities that pursue energy-efficient building systems, water conservation, renewable energy and electric vehicle infrastructure when financially and operationally appropriate. - The policy encourages reserve planning, preventive maintenance and capital projects as communities evaluate these upgrades. - The policy says communities should preserve local decision-making and financial flexibility. - The new and updated positions join nearly 50 CAI public policies covering issues affecting homeowners and community associations nationwide. - More information is available in CAI’s public policies.

Between the lines: - CAI is signaling that affordability policy should include operating costs, not just sale prices. - The ombudsperson guidance appears designed to support homeowner access without creating a heavier state-layer process. - The sustainability policy ties green upgrades to budget discipline, not just environmental goals.

What's next: - Lawmakers considering housing, governance and energy policy now have CAI’s preferred framework in front of them. - Community associations may use the guidance to support local planning, reserve funding and dispute-resolution practices. - States weighing ombudsperson programs can use CAI’s principles as a template for structure and scope.

The bottom line: - CAI is broadening its policy agenda to push lawmakers toward community association rules that prioritize affordability, flexibility and long-term financial stability.