California condo owners were suddenly handed a $26,000 HOA bill each

Residents of the Vilamoura condominium complex in San Clemente, California, are facing sudden financial pressure after their homeowners association issued a mandatory emergency assessment of more than $26,000 per unit to pay for complete roof replacements. The unexpected charge affects all 198 units in the South Orange County complex and has led to strong opposition from homeowners, especially retirees living on fixed incomes. By declaring the roof work an emergency, the homeowners association board avoided the normal community voting process required for major capital projects.Beverly Albright, an 81-year-old resident who has lived at the complex for years, said she was deeply upset by the sudden bill in an interview with local television station ABC7 Eyewitness News. "I will have to move. And this was my... I've worked very hard to make it so that I could be here," Albright told the broadcast station.