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A SINGLE mom has been left battling her homeowners association as she fears the monthly fee might force her out of her home.
Families who once paid $20 fees have been devastated to learn they now might be forking over up to $300 a month.
The homeowners were first offered low-income housing through a Habitat for Humanity program that offered 18 families cheap homes.
The initiative was launched in 2015 when Salt Lake Valley Habitat for Humanity purchased a two-acre plot in Kearns, located about 12 miles from Salt Lake City, Utah.
The nonprofit organization set out to create new opportunities for families to own homes at an affordable price.
Now, families in Kearns’ Field of Dreams neighborhood are outraged after they received letters in the mail warning of the price increase.
A single mom of two kids said the recent 100% jump in fines made residents “frantic,” according to CBS affiliate KUTV.
“It’s stressful as a single mother of two kids trying to finish school, it’s hard,” she said.
However, Habitat for Humanity told The U.S. Sun that the management fees are increasing from $10 a month to $20 per household in November.
The group mentioned that the homeowners will decide on the agreements for maintaining shared areas, with costs anticipated to range from $115 to $150 for each home.
“We take pride in assisting families as they embark on their journey of empowered homeownership, and we are motivated by the strengthening community spirit at Field of Dreams,” stated CEO Carin Crowe.
The mom, who wished to remain unnamed, said she wasn’t sure what the costs could be for.
HOA fees typically pay for the upkeep of common areas including landscaping and pool maintenance.
“That is mindblowing because we don’t own a pool,” the mom said.
“The grass has died twice.”
However, Habitat for Humanity told The U.S. Sun the costs would include landscaping, snow removal, trash service, and other maintenance for common areas.
Habitat for Humanity’s statement
“Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area is proud to offer affordable homeownership through 0% interest mortgages, typically structured over 30–35 years,” Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area CEO Carin Crowe told The U.S. Sun.
“These long-term, no-interest loans are designed to make homeownership truly accessible for hardworking low-income families earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income in our community.
“The Field of Dreams development—soon to be home to 20 Habitat homeowners—was thoughtfully designed with shared amenities including a central green space, sport court, playground, and a private road.
“Upon purchasing their homes, each homeowner signed a welcome letter and a notice of understanding, which clearly explained the future structure and evolution of their Homeowners Association (HOA).
“Initially, while construction was ongoing, HOA fees were kept at a minimal $10/month. As we near full completion—with 80% of homes now occupied—the HOA will begin transitioning into homeowner management.
“We are excited for the community to move toward autonomy and self-governance.
“We notified homeowners of this transition in October 2024 and then had regular community meetings to assist in the transition and seek their input in the HOA management selection in March 2025.
“Beginning November 2025, HOA management fees will increase modestly to $20/month per household, with homeowners collectively determining contracts for shared space maintenance.
“Based on current estimates, those negotiated costs are expected to fall between $110–$150 per home, including landscaping, snow removal, trash service, liability insurance, etc. for common areas.
“Attached is the homeowner welcome letter and notice of understanding that was signed by each resident at closing.
“We’re proud to support the families as they step into empowered homeownership, and we’re inspired by the growing sense of community at Field of Dreams.”
The mom told KUTV the letter said homes in the neihgborhood required $350 monthly management fees each.
The HOA also wrote there was a $50 software fee, which would bring each home’s charge to $400 a month.
“What are we to do?” the mom asked KUTV.
“Tell our families they can’t eat this month because we have to pay an extra $200 to the rent?”
She added, “With how they’re running things, we’re not going to be able to afford this. Nobody is.”
The Field of Dreams neighborhood was designed to conserve energy to lower the residents’ utility bills, NBC affiliate KSL reported in March 2024.
Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Ed Blake said at the time that the neighborhood was set up to encourage community between the homeowners.
When homeowners first received their keys, they received a 30-year interest-free mortgage.
Now, it’s unclear if all residents will continue to be able to afford their homes.
What is an HOA?
One in five Americans live in an area with a Homeowners’ Association – or HOA. But what exactly is it that they do?
- An HOA is a homeowner’s association – an organization that aims to maintain a clean and cohesive place to live for its residents.
- Entire neighborhoods, subdivisions, condominiums, family homes, or townhouses within “a planned development” will often make up an HOA.
- They also act as a governing body for tenants, who run and fund the HOA through monthly fees.
- Their principal aims are to keep the community functioning and visually appealing and to maintain property values.
- They primarily focus on common areas of a neighborhood, such as roads, parks, and pools – but may also stipulate what residents can do with their properties, such as yards and driveways.
- Often these restrictions enforce uniformity on properties, for example, ensuring most houses look the same and all driveways are clear of weeds.
- An HOA rulebook of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R) is distributed to all residents, and an elected volunteer board of directors enforces these regulations.
- Breaking these rules can result in penalties such as fines and even litigation – as most HOAs are incorporated and subject to state law.
- HOAs are often the subject of controversy, with some members feeling that the rules are too punitive and restricting, or that the leadership has too much power.
- But others like that HOAs give communities the power of self-governance, and can ensure a degree of harmony between residents.
