A Colorado homeowner association activist

June 06, 2002

By HOA Voices (View author info)

This is a tribute to Joni Greenwalt, author of the book, Homeowners Associations, A Nightmare or a Dream Come True?

With her passing, Joni has left behind dozens of homeowners who came to her for help after experiencing trouble with their homeowners associations. Just as homeowners felt there was no where else to turn to, through searching the internet, they often found her site and took her up on her offer to counsel with them over the phone.

Homeowners were relieved to find her and subsequently were connected to other homeowners who shared the same problems. Often feeling very alone in their battles and ostracized by their "community", they suddenly realized they were not alone. That being targeted by a dictatorial HOA board of directors and the feelings of oppression that comes with HOA life, was the norm rather than the exception to the rule.

But for the grace of the internet, homeowner advocate groups have sprouted across the country to exchange information, share their concerns and publicize the movement through the media and internet and have also created a support system for homeowners with nowhere to turn to. In the process, many have forged long term friendships and a feeling of camaraderie that was seriously lacking in their HOA so-called "community".

In the words of one homeowner, "At a time when I felt suicide to be a viable alternative to living in our HOA in Irvine, California, I found Joni on the internet. Before long, I found myself a part of a wonderful support group of homeowner advocates who, with little money but a lot of passion, are fighting hard across America to restore constitutional protections in HOA's and to return the American Dream of Homeownership back to its rightful owner - the homeowners. True patriots in every sense of the word!"

The fact that homeowner advocates are accomplishing this task without brown nose lobbyists, bribed politicians and legal "beagles" is progress immeasurable - unlike the wealthy HOA housing industry vendors, one of which was quoted as saying their public policy is to "coerce and bribe" legislators.

Joni Greenwalt shall be remembered as one of the many founders of the homeowner advocacy movement to save homes and return the old saying "a man's house is his castle". "HOA wars" are the newest civil war on America's home front and will surely continue to be carried out in her memory as well as the memory of the others who have passed before her - Jim Troutman, from California and Bill Strickland from Florida.