LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Lumpy roads, crumbling walls and dripping pipes all are the result of a broken water system that has plagued a Henderson neighborhood for decades, residents say.
“The water problem has been a problem since I’ve been here over 20 years and it’s not going anywhere,” Blossom Decrescenzo said.
Now, neighbors are trying to find solutions. The first step — electing a new HOA board ready to take on the challenge which is estimated to cost each home around $17,000.
On Saturday they held a community meeting to find who will step up.
“$17,000, that’s pretty much what I make in three quarters of a year, but I do want to preserve our community, it’s important to me. I think our board members inherited a mess, and they tried. But we need help,” Debbi Grim said.
They’re hoping that help can come from elected officials as they plan to invite Henderson Ward IV Councilman Dan Stewart to their next HOA meeting. They’re also working with republican state Senator Carrie Buck.
Will Bradley, one of Buck’s special assistants focused on HOA issues and said Buck was inspired to look into HOAs after the story of Somerset Park, the Henderson neighborhood that almost had their water shut off.
“It took unfortunately, a Somerset where 81 people were looking at losing, getting evicted to bring light to this issue,” Bradley said “We were hoping there wouldn’t be other issues as big as Somerset. This is bigger. Somerset only needed $700,000 repairs. This place needs up to $1.3 million.”
Bradley said this issue is just one of many cases involving HOAs in the valley.
“The biggest words I could tell all homeowners, get involved,” Bradley said. “Go to meetings. Don’t you miss a meeting, important things happen at every meeting. Run for the board or find people you trust to run for the board and vote in elections. In a typical HOA, only 25% of owners even vote.”
Buck introduced a bill to the legislature with multiple changes to HOA laws, including creating a training program for board members. Lawmakers have not yet held a hearing for the bill.
In a statement to 8 News Now, Buck said, “I care a lot about homeowners who live in HOAs and want to make sure HOA boards and management companies are trustworthy with homeowner dollars and have homeowners’ best interests.”
