By Devin Pozzi

Working at the intersection of health, wellness, and community, I’ve seen firsthand the value of integrating contemplative practices into modern life. Through my work with for-profit organizations, nonprofits, and the people who live and/or work within them, I emphasize that genuine connection and meaningful collaboration are essential to building a strong, resilient foundation.

For the past few years, I have observed a quiet but powerful shift taking place within homeowners associations (HOAs) across the country. It’s a shift that reflects a growing desire for more connected and wellness oriented communities.

Let’s face it - the primary focus of HOA leadership, as far as I understood it, has been on rules enforcement, maintenance, and compliance. But today, communities seem to be asking for something more. Homeowners are no longer content with simply living in neighborhoods that are well maintained,they want to live in neighborhoods that are well lived. 

This is where future-focused community visioning comes in and it’s a critical evolution.

Beyond the Bylaws: Building a Shared Vision

A community without a vision is like a home without a foundation. You can repair cracks and paint walls, but the structure won’t stand up over time without a real solution.

What we’re seeing, and encouraging, is a movement toward proactive, values driven leadership in HOAs. It’s about guiding your neighborhood, not just by taking care of the exterior. It’s about taking care of the people that call it home.

Trends to Consider:

1. Strategic Planning

More HOA boards are stepping away from relying purely on their monthly checklists and are engaging in facilitated strategic planning. These sessions create a space to ask deeper questions:

• What kind of neighborhood do we want to be in five or ten years?

• What matters most to our residents?

• How can we plan for wellness, belonging, and beauty and not just functionality?

• A neighborhood that supports intergenerational living.

• A place where wellness is integrated into daily life.

• An environmentally conscious place for all.

These aren’t just visionary exercises - they’re investments in long term sustainability, stability, and satisfaction.

2. Community-Driven Planning

The best visions are not crafted in a boardroom, by the board alone. Instead, they’re co-created with homeowners.

Surveys, focus groups - these aren’t just things to do to say you’ve done it. They’re tools that empower people to have a voice. In our experience, when homeowners feel seen, heard, and actually valued, they show up differently. They take pride. They contribute. They get involved.

We’ve seen communities where even one listening session, so long as there is a neutral party to help facilitate, sparks new energy and engagement among neighbors who previously felt disconnected. Keep in mind, this is different than a board meeting. It’s facilitated planning with the purpose of connection and true collaboration.

3. Adopting Vision Statements with Heart

We encourage communities to adopt formal vision statements that go beyond landscaping standards or parking policies. These statements reflect who the community wants to be:

Vision statements become guide posts, helping to inform design decisions, budget priorities, and amenity upgrades.  These statements can even guide the tone of communication from the board. You don’t have to give up fiscal responsibility to care about the lives that live in the community.

From My Perspective: Why This Matters

When we take the time to plan with purpose, we don’t just improve infrastructure within the community, we improve lives.

A visioning process invites connection. It inspires alignment. It encourages healthier interactions, both socially and structurally. It’s the first step toward building neighborhoods that support mental well-being AND physical vitality, the foundations of any thriving community.

A Call to HOA Leaders and Community Managers

You are not just stewards of bylaws. You are culture creators.

Future focused community visioning shouldn’t be an exception to the rule. In my opinion, it’s a necessity in a time where expectations are higher and life seems to be more complex. But the good news is: you don’t have to figure it out alone. Facilitators can help to guide these conversations. To help boards listen. To bridge the gap between governance and community life.

Let’s Redefine What HOA Leadership Looks Like

I truly believe that the HOAs that will thrive are the ones that look beyond maintenance and enforcement, and also ask:

“What kind of life do we want to create here?”

Let’s start there. Let’s build from vision.

Devin Pozzi is a meditation teacher and health and wellness coach dedicated to bridging the worlds of deep contemplative practice and modern professional life. His approach is informed by a rich and varied contemplative background, shaped by immersive practice and rigorous study in monasteries across Nepal, India, France, and the United States. Devin's mission is to bring the value based practices into the task-centric professional world. He empowers individuals and teams to move beyond burnout and cultivate a life of greater wellness, meaning, and purposeful service.