ABSTRACT
The politics of homeownership in America has traditionally centered on three questions: crime, schools, and the level of property taxation. These are each perceived as matters within the control of local govern ment, properly so-called. The first two at least are in process of being carelessly nationalized. Other means of allowing homeowners to influ ence and govern their immediate environment have been neglected, though street-level governance has aroused great interest in Western Europe. In recent years, however, condominiums and other organizations to promote the common interests of property owners have begun to pro liferate in the United States. A discussion of the principal functions that may be discharged by such narrowly defined property-owners’ associa tions may be instructive. We shall consider first, street governance; sec ond, the renewal of city blocks; third, the rendition of trash collection and other property-related services; and fourth, the regulation of land use.
