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Article
Courtesy of Channel 5 WPTV
By
Kayla McDermott
Published November 29, 2025
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WATCH VIDEO |
PALM BEACH COUNTY — A small group of protesters gathered at the Florida
State Capitol on Tuesday, demanding the abolishment of homeowners
associations statewide.
The rally comes just one week after a deadly shooting in Port St. Lucie that
left three people dead, including the neighborhood's HOA treasurer and the
husband of the HOA secretary.
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The 62-year-old
shooter took his own life after killing two neighbors in
what authorities say was connected to HOA disputes.
For months, residents across Florida have raised concerns
about the rising costs and restrictive rules tied to
homeowners associations. With thousands of HOAs across the
state and hundreds in Palm Beach County alone, some
residents are actively pushing for their complete
elimination.
Dave Hyland, who has lived in an HOA community for 20 years,
understands both sides of the debate. He appreciates the
amenities his association provides.
"I like the standard of living and the safety it brings,"
Hyland said. "There's two pools, there's a gym. We have
guard gates."
But the steep and rising costs have him questioning the
value.
"You question, what am I really getting for the money that
I'm contributing," Hyland said. |
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Dave Hyland understands the frustration driving the
protests, but believes HOAs can be managed better rather than
eliminated entirely.
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While Hyland understands the frustration driving the
protests, he believes HOAs can be managed better rather than eliminated
entirely.
"I do think they can be controlled," Hyland said.
State Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, R-Miami, is working on new
legislation that would allow communities to abolish their HOAs, giving the
power directly to residents.
"In my personal opinion, I think HOA is our failed experiment, and there
needs to be some sort of guidelines in place on how to get rid of them,"
Porras said.
However, Hyland isn't entirely comfortable with that approach, worried about
majority rule overriding individual preferences.
"If we leave it up to the majority sometimes the majority doesn't see eye to
eye with you," Hyland said.
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A small group of
protesters gathered at the Florida State Capitol on Tuesday,
demanding the abolishment of homeowners associations
statewide.
The rally comes just one week after a deadly shooting in
Port St. Lucie that left three people dead, including the
neighborhood's HOA treasurer and the husband of the HOA
secretary.
The 62-year-old shooter took his own life after killing two
neighbors in what authorities say was connected to HOA
disputes.
For months, residents across Florida have raised concerns
about the rising costs and restrictive rules tied to
homeowners associations. With thousands of HOAs across the
state and hundreds in Palm Beach County alone, some
residents are actively pushing for their complete
elimination.
Dave Hyland, who has lived in an HOA community for 20 years,
understands both sides of the debate. He appreciates the
amenities his association provides. |
|
Frustrated homeowners attend HOA rally at Capitol
WATCH
VIDEO
|
"I like the standard of living and the safety it brings,"
Hyland said. "There's two pools, there's a gym. We have guard gates."
But the steep and rising costs have him questioning the value.
"You question, what am I really getting for the money that I'm
contributing," Hyland said.
Deadly HOA feud highlights HOA violence
Legislator renews calls to abolish HOAs following deadly dispute
While Hyland understands the frustration driving the protests, he believes
HOAs can be managed better rather than eliminated entirely.
"I do think they can be controlled," Hyland said.
State Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, R-Miami, is working on new legislation that
would allow communities to abolish their HOAs, giving the power directly to
residents.
"In my personal opinion, I think HOA is our failed experiment, and there
needs to be some sort of guidelines in place on how to get rid of them,"
Porras said.
However, Hyland isn't entirely comfortable with that approach, worried about
majority rule overriding individual preferences.
"If we leave it up to the majority sometimes the majority doesn't see eye to
eye with you," Hyland said.
Instead, he believes dissatisfied homeowners should simply move rather than
try to change entire communities.
"Buyer beware kind of thing. If it bothered me too much, I would leave
rather than change the whole community's perspective," Hyland said.
An update to Porras' legislation is expected to be released sometime this
week.
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