Since I transferred this blog to a new site, I’ve been updating pages and blog posts. After it was on-line I got hacked so now I am redoing it yet again.  However, going through all I’ve written it has given me inspiration for this blog post.

Lake Oswego Homeowner Associations And Neighborhood Associations

Lake Oswego has over 20 neighborhoods and within those Lake Oswego residential areas are neighborhood associations and homeowner associations.

You might think that a homeowner’s association is the same thing as a neighborhood association. They are, however, two different types of organizations.

Homeowner Associations

A Homeowner’s Association is a private organization that is usually within a residential neighborhood or condo project. Residents pay HOA dues that cover such expenses as common area maintenance, swimming pool maintenance if there is a neighborhood pool, etc. The HOA is empowered by a restriction on your Lake Oswego real estate deed.

Your CC&R’s (Covenants, Codes & Restrictions) are not a homeowner’s association, but are restrictions of what you can and can’t do with your property to preserve the character of your street or neighborhood. CC&R’s are restrictions placed on your deed. Those “run with the property” and are never removed regardless how many times the Lake Oswego home or property changes ownership. Usually CC&R’s deal with fences, parking, roof materials, exterior colors and improvements, and other structural characteristics. However, the CC&R’s aren’t enforced unless there is a Homeowner’s Association to enforce them.

In a new subdivision or condo project, many times the developer/builder will initially set up the homeowner’s association.  When the project or subdivision is completely built, the developer/builder will turn over the HOA to the property owners whereby they will elect officers, arrange meeting schedules, etc.

There are some homeowner’s associations in neighborhoods that are also run by property management companies.  They oversee the collection of dues, etc. and arrange or set up neighborhood meetings as well.  They too enforce the CC&R’s.

LAKE OSWEGO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS

Lake Oswego Neighborhood Associations started in 1974 with the City of Lake Oswego’s Comprehensive Plan. There are, as stated, over 20 neighborhood associations within Lake Oswego.

The City’s Neighborhood Enhancement Program supports partnerships between the City of Lake Oswego and its neighborhoods by providing grants for projects or programs that provide a community benefit.

Through a competitive application process, qualifying neighborhood associations are awarded grants for specific projects or programs that that can help to build the capacity of neighborhood associations and increase neighborhood involvement, that could not or would not be accomplished under another City program.

Grants are not awarded for landscaping, traffic calming, or other projects that require long-term maintenance.

• Street Tree Planting (NEW).  The City will fund the planting of up to 10 new street trees in the public right-of-way. Please see the supplemental Street Tree Planting grant materials listed above.

If you may be interested in applying for a street tree grant,  you’re encouraged to have planning and forestry staff attend an upcoming neighborhood association meeting to provide more information and answer questions. Call Sarah Selden at 503-697-6524 for more information and to schedule a presentation.

• Neighborhood Signs. The City will continue to award grants for the fabrication and installation of neighborhood signs to help strengthen neighborhood identity. Recognizing that wooden signs need periodic maintenance, neighborhoods may also apply for funds for the maintenance/repainting of existing neighborhood signs, not more frequently than every four years.

• Emergency Preparedness. Help your neighborhood to be more resourceful and resilient. EXAMPLE: Develop a neighborhood-wide or sub-area directory with contact information and any pertinent info on neighborhood resources available in the event of an emergency.

• Neighborhood Sustainability. Help to reduce your neighborhood’s carbon footprint. EXAMPLES: Hold a large-scale recycling event with multiple dumpsters where your neighbors could recycle items such as electronics, furniture, appliances, over-sized plastic, etc.; organize a day-long sustainability training for neighbors through The Natural Step, an educational non-profit organization; create a neighborhood tool library.

• Association Leadership and Capacity Building. Help your organization to be more effective in its role, mission and goals. EXAMPLES: Meeting facilitation or communication training for your board, newsletter or web site development.

• Community Building. Help to build community partnerships, build neighbor-to-neighbor relationships and get more people involved in making your neighborhood a great place. EXAMPLES: Hold a neighborhood event, or a program/project to help build partnerships between neighborhood organizations or help under-served populations.

The City of Lake Oswego website has a wealth of information including a map with the neighborhood associations listed, how to organize a neighborhood association, etc.  Here’s the link.

Neighborhood Associations And HOA’s

You could live in a neighborhood that has both a neighborhood association and an HOA.

Want to Know Which Neighborhoods Have HOA’s

Before you purchase Lake Oswego real estate, you might want to know if the neighborhood has an HOA.  There are some homebuyers that like HOA’s and others who don’t want to live by restrictions or rules.  Give me a call at 503-804-9685 or email:betty (at) bettyjung.com if you’re interested in knowing which Lake Oswego homes are governed either by an HOA or neighborhood association.

ALL ABOUT…..Lake Oswego Real Estate. © Copyright 2008-2011. Betty Jung. All Rights Reserved. Use of this article, photos and images without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.