New Online Course Helps Habitat Homebuyers Navigate Life in an HOA

At Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, we believe homeownership is about more than just getting the keys. It’s about setting families up for long-term success in their homes and communities. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a new educational tool that will empower our homebuyers with essential knowledge: Homeowners Associations 101, a custom online course powered by Framework, a national homeownership education platform.

Why This Course Matters

Today, Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are more common than ever. In Minnesota, a staggering 82% of new homes are built within an HOA. Nearly 1.6 million Minnesotans live in one of more than 7,950 HOA communities across the state. And many Twin Cities Habitat-developed homes are part of about 60 different HOA communities.

HOAs can offer benefits like shared maintenance and neighborhood upkeep. But, they can also feel overwhelming for first-time homeowners. We’ve heard the questions and concerns from our homebuyers firsthand:

• What are HOA dues, and how are they used?
• Who makes decisions for the HOA?
• What rights and responsibilities do homeowners have in these communities?

These are important questions, and the answers can vary widely based on the specific HOA, making it tricky to provide general information. Twin Cities Habitat was in search of a more comprehensive way of presenting the nuances of HOAs to potential homebuyers.

A Proactive, Supportive Solution

To address the need for education around HOAs, our Homeowner Engagement team partnered with Framework to create Homeowners Associations 101, a custom, self-paced, mobile-friendly course designed specifically for Twin Cities Habitat homebuyers. It’s part of our broader homeownership support services, and it's now available to every family we serve. The course is also a requirement of Homebuyer Education for those who are enrolled in our program.

This course covers:

• What HOA governing documents are and how to read them
• Common fees, rules, and responsibilities
• How HOA boards work and how homeowners can get involved
• Practical tips for thriving in an HOA community

"Habitat's commitment to homeowners doesn’t stop at the closing table," says Jenny Sanford, Homeowner Engagement Manager at Twin Cities Habitat. "Our role is to ensure families have the tools they need to succeed long-term. With so many of our homeowners living in HOA communities, this course is a powerful way to equip them with the knowledge they need from day one."

Bridgette bought a home through Habitat in the summer of 2024 and has been interested in learning more about her townhome’s HOA. She recently took the new HOA course and was thrilled with the experience:

This course is so amazing. This has come at the perfect time for me. I took crazy notes and screen shots. I am so stoked and ready to share all I have learned with the rest of the Board. I am going to put together a plan for us based on all that's in the course I just completed.

NOTE: If you're a Twin Cities Habitat homeowner, you can start taking the HOA course now! Click here to get started.

Part of a Growing Partnership

Earlier this spring, Twin Cities Habitat launched a full homebuyer education curriculum on Framework’s online homeownership education platform. This new HOA course is the next step in that partnership—custom-built to meet the needs of our community.

"Living in an HOA can come with a learning curve, especially for first-time homebuyers," says Cassandra Kushnir, Director of Product at Framework. "This course breaks down the basics, so families feel confident and prepared."

Omar Esposito, President and CEO of Framework, adds, "Twin Cities Habitat is considered a leader within the network of Habitat affiliates, and more broadly, mission-focused homeownership organizations. We’re incredibly excited to expand our partnership to include this deeper level of support and guidance for homebuyers living in HOAs. We can’t wait to see how Twin Cities Habitat homebuyers continue to start and grow in their homeownership journey with this new course."

Supporting Success Beyond Move-In Day

At Twin Cities Habitat, we’re committed to providing not just a home, but the foundation for a successful future. That includes education, guidance, and support every step of the way. With Homeowners Associations 101, we’re ensuring our homebuyer families are equipped with the knowledge and tools to navigate homeownership with confidence.