Saturday, March 15, 2014

The Cost of Aging Infrastructure

The Cost of Aging Infrastructure

Residential Segregation by Income, 1970-2009

‎www.s4.brown.edu/us2010/Data/Report/report10162013.pdf



Americans have become increasingly segregated by income over the last 40 years. There are several causes, one of which is increasing income inequality. The middle class has been squeezed by deindustrialization, deunionization, tax cuts that favor the rich, the loss of their home equity, and other forces. And in addition to all that, I am wondering what role the real estate development industry has played in sorting us out by income. In particular, what role does the rise of CID housing play in this sorting process?

Why We Should Focus Infrastructure Spending on Urban America

Why We Should Focus Infrastructure Spending on Urban America

My colleague Michael Pagano knows more about public infrastructure than just about anybody. Maybe it's time to stop builidng private infrastructure in CIDs and go public.

Economist's View: Inequality and Residential Segregation

Economist's View: Inequality and Residential Segregation


America’s Most Unequal Metros | Trulia Trends

America’s Most Unequal Metros | Trulia Trends

And rising income inequality is a major contributor to residential income segregation.

Federal Privatization and the Expensive Philosophy of the Circular A-76 Process

Federal Privatization and the Expensive Philosophy of the Circular A-76 Process

Law professor Ellen Dannin shows how privatization isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Money missing from Murfreesboro neighborhood HOA fees - WSMV Channel 4

Money missing from Murfreesboro neighborhood HOA fees - WSMV Channel 4: MURFREESBORO, TN (WSMV) -

Money meant for the upkeep of a Murfreesboro neighborhood is now missing, and police have a lot of questions for the woman who was supposed to be keeping track of it all.

"I'm almost speechless. It's unbelievable to me," said neighbor Christin Barrett. "I'm appalled and disgusted by it."

Neighbors in the Villages of Garrison Cove subdivision trusted a property management company to keep things running smoothly, but the manager at the company is accused of keeping thousands of dollars for herself.

The homeowners' association board has since hired a new company to manage the neighborhood.


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Gambling in Casablanca? Graft in Privatopia? Shocking!

Scott Mooneyham: Why reining in homeowner associations is difficult

The Daily Advance: RALEIGH — A couple of years ago, two members of the state House who had been overseeing efforts to rein in abusive homeowners associations gave their colleagues a skeptical send-off as they handed over leadership of their committee.

“I wish you well,” said Rep. Julia Howard, a Davie County Republican.

Howard and then-state Rep. Jennifer Weiss, a Wake County Democrat, referred to previous legislation passed by the General Assembly as watered-down.

At the time, legislators had approved a measure that required a homeowners association board to at least take a vote before lawyers or property management companies could begin foreclosure proceedings.

Since then, the General Assembly has approved a law that encourages mediation when homeowners and the associations that enforce neighborhood covenants get into disputes.

Other bills, though, were never voted on. They include one that prohibits foreclosure proceedings over delinquent fees and another that would have required association board members to take a training course.


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This story underscores a point the perfessor has made over the years: The community association industry has a well greased lobbying machine -- and the denizens of Privatopia do not. 

After audit reveals corruption, Florida town's days could be numbered - Yahoo News

After audit reveals corruption, Florida town's days could be numbered - Yahoo News: "It's like something out of a Southern Gothic novel," Bradley told Time magazine. "This town exists apparently just to write speeding tickets. Most people don't understand why it exists in the first place."

Via CNN:

Hampton cops were a fixture out on U.S. 301. They sat on lawn chairs, pointing radar guns at unsuspecting motorists. They hid behind recycling bins. As more and more money came in, they idled in slick SUVs, trolled the median strips in riot gear and toted state-of-the-art firepower. Locals gave one the nickname "Rambo" because he slung an AR-15 rifle across his chest.
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No, this isn't an HOA despite this being Florida. But could provide a business model for HOAs looking to boost revenues that would be less vulnerable to state disincorporation like this town. Y'all come back now, hear?