[hamiltontroll]

If I mark the forum or topic private, how do users gain access to it? Can you invite users and then mark it private? Do you have to wait until the users are in before making it private? Will it be seen by other users who do not need to see it?
I ask because I am building a forum on an HOA site and while most of the forum and topics are open to residents, I want to figure out how to use the forum for the architectural committee to discuss specific resident projects. If a home owner wants to change the paint color of their house they have to submit a request to the board and the board and resident can discuss the project through the forum without the rest of the neighborhood knowing about it. Is that possible?

[Robin W]

public forums are visible to both logged in users and visitors
Private forums are only visible to logged in users.

If you want to have a more sub groups then add this further plugin

Private groups

[Robin W]

https://codex.bbpress.org/step-by-step-guide-to-setting-up-a-bbpress-forum/ section 5