Defying and Defending Suburban Democracy

Defying and Defending Suburban Democracy is a narrative non-fiction work that explores the complexities, power struggles, and systemic issues within homeowners associations (HOAs), also known as common interest communities (CICs). Through personal experiences and research, the author highlights the challenges faced by homeowners subject to opaque governance, financial mismanagement, and legal loopholes that limit residents’ rights. The book delves into the history of HOAs, tracing their origins to Ebenezer Howard’s vision of cooperative urban planning and their evolution into privatized, quasi-governmental entities that often lack transparency and oversight.

The book also addresses broader systemic failures, including the role of management companies, conflicts of interest, and the increasing lack of affordable, non-HOA housing options. Through investigative research and firsthand accounts, Bernicker calls for greater accountability, civic engagement, and reforms to protect homeowners’ rights and prevent abuses within these private communities.

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