It’s been nearly six months since Hurricane Harvey and much of the Houston area is still recovering.
In some cases, homeowners say HOA rules are their biggest hurdles as they try and rebuild their lives.
“We lived here for 43 years,” said Tony Cernosek of Meyerland. He and his wife raised three sons in the home that used to stand on the lot where we met him.
They decided to demolish and rebuild thanks to what three feet of water did to it.
“We just want to get started, get the home built, and get our lives back,” said Cernosek.
They’ve spent thousands of dollars on a new home plan. It should already be under construction on their longtime lot; but it isn’t, they say, thanks to Meyerland’s HOA.
“There are 22 sections that have different deed restrictions,” said Cernosek.
For instance, the front-facing carport they want to replicate is no longer acceptable in their section.
Although we counted at least three homes with front-facing carports or garages right around the corner.
“You would think they would do everything they could to help people rebuild,” said Cernosek.
KHOU 11 News reached out to the Meyerland Community Improvement Association.
Its General Manager said the HOA sympathizes with homeowners and is working on homogenizing rules.
“With all that said, the Association Board cannot override the lot owner voted restrictions – only new revised restrictions can change them,” Amy Hoechstette wrote in an email.
Until that happens, new projects are at the mercy of old rules.
“It’s not ideal,” said Cernosek. Read more: