Why support your local voluntary HOA?

Many of us understand the bad things commonly associated with Home Owners Associations. We have heard the accounts of tyrants who want to tell people what they can and can’t do on their own property and on top of that, they also expect each property in the HOA to pay them a fee for their “services.”  Then why have an HOA? For three key reasons: 1) HOAs help maintain common areas shared by everyone which benefits everyone living in the neighborhood. 2) They can help protect the neighborhood from developers that would otherwise exploit the neighborhood. 3) help to keep the community appealing to residents and future residents while keeping property values high. 

So how is the Poole Creek Forest Recreational Association (PCFRA) different from any other HOA? 

Community Pride: To start, it's a voluntary recreational association which means that it's limited to managing the common recreational areas such as the pool and tennis areas. Membership is not mandatory however the communities support is needed to maintain the recreational areas. The PCFRA does not enforce neighborhood codes or hand out tickets or HOA fees.  They do help and try to maintain the our neighborhood and report gross violations of Gwinnett County codes and regulations. Also, the board members are your neighbors who live in the community and care about their neighborhood and want to make it a great place for everyone.  Many volunteer their time and energy to help clean and maintain the swim and tennis facility. Unlike some HOAs that are run by corporations that look to make a profit from its members, our members give of themselves to make Poole Creek Forest a great community for everyone to enjoy. 

Consideration and Flexibility: PCRFA focuses on helping to keep the Swim and Tennis facility open and in taking the lead in showing how everyone can play a part in making our community a great place to live. They understand that people want the flexibility to decide what to do with their property as long as it does not negatively impact the neighborhood. 

Transparency: Where does your money go? 100% goes to maintaining your community. This starts with providing everyone with visibility of the costs of maintaining the common areas as well as the money received. Transparency helps everyone see how their money is working to help their community.  

As a volunteer association, everyone can make the decision whether to join or not. So why join?

• We need your support! 

Support for maintaining the neighborhood has declined in recent years. On average, less than 20 families currently support the volunteer association with a yearly membership and yet the cost to maintain the swim and tennis facility only continues to increase each year.  Yet compared to other HOAs some of which could cost members thousands of dollars or more, the cost of membership is provided at a reasonable cost which is used to maintain the swim and tennis facility.

• Great, but I don't even use the pool or tennis court, so what does this have to do with me?  

Without community support, the PCRFA will be unable to keep the swim and tennis facility open and operating.  When a community loses its swim and tennis facility, it negatively impacts a neighborhood. House values are negatively impacted and as the facility falls into disrepair, it invites vandalism and is a blight on the neighborhood. 

• How can you help?

Help support us.  Unable to pay for a full membership? Any donation helps to maintain your community.  Please support your community.

Have a suggestion on how to improve or support our community? We would love to hear it. Please let us know. 

Please reach out to: Donna Butler (treasurer of HOA), direct at 770-597-7728 or email at: 29Butler@comcast.net   

She would be happy to help you with any questions you may have.