​​​​​​​​​​​​​In 1964, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) published Technical Bulletin No. 50:​​ The Homes Association Handbook, the first systematic study of planned communities. The principal author was B​yron Hanke, one of CAI’s eventual founders. The document called for the creation of a national organization to provide education and act as a clearinghouse of ideas and p​ractices for the community association housing market.

In 1965, ULI and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) wrote a model planned-unit development statute.

In 1973, CAI was organized through the joint efforts of the ULI, NAHB, the U.S. League of Savings and Loan Associations, the Veterans Administration, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 23 builder/developers and a number of leading community association professionals.

Fifty years later​ ​​-- thanks to countless dedicated, selfless and inspired member leaders -- CAI is the international center for community association information, best practices, education and advocacy. ​