Breaking Point: Examining Aging Infrastructure in Community Associations

Across the country, community association leaders are confronting one of the most pressing challenges of our time—aging infrastructure. From roofs and roadways to plumbing and structural systems, the physical components that ensure residents’ safety and well-being are reaching critical points of deterioration.

Through conversations with members, experts, and partners, the Foundation for Community Association Research identified aging infrastructure as a growing concern for community managers, boards, homeowners, and residents alike.

Despite regular inspections and scheduled reserve studies, too many associations fail to detect serious structural or system problems until it’s too late. When damage becomes visible, communities often resort to temporary fixes—postponing the comprehensive repairs that protect property values and resident safety.

To better understand this issue, the Foundation convened a multidisciplinary task force—including attorneys, reserve specialists, engineers, insurance professionals, managers, and bankers—to explore the most common infrastructure failures and identify proactive solutions.

Community association managers, board members, and contractors nationwide participated in a Foundation survey to share details about major capital projects and unplanned repairs. The findings were striking: more than 80% of respondents reported encountering unanticipated infrastructure issues within the past three years.

These insights, supported by empirical data, provide valuable guidance for board members, community managers, business partners, and homeowners—anyone responsible for safeguarding their community’s physical and financial health.

Gratitude and Acknowledgment

This project reflects years of collaboration and countless volunteer hours. The Foundation extends its deep appreciation to the Foundation Think Tank, which recognized the urgency of this research and provided initial funding, and to the dedicated members of the Aging Infrastructure Task Force, whose expertise and leadership brought this work to life.

A special thank-you to National Cooperative Bank for their generous sponsorship and ongoing support of the Foundation’s mission to deliver data-driven research that strengthens communities nationwide.

Task Force Members

Henry Puckett
Caroline Record
Robert Riddick
Ellen Shapiro
Marc Tamres