What can I do with this small patch on a budget?

Hello Marsha! Great place to clean up, add some rock/mulch, and place big planters with annual flowers! I would suggest some perennial flowers too under the windows but you would have to be careful about digging as you have some utility lines in that area. Hostas would look pretty under the window if it doesn't get too sunny and hot there.

Keeping in mind your HOA has CC&R’s, is your electric meter a smart meter? As in does it send the usage data or does someone manually point a scanner at it?

You could put a flower box with a lattice piece fastened & embedded in it and espalier a vine-Type of plant. Make two, so that there’s one on the other side of the window, so they look planned.

For the cable/telephone, I would build a box (like a hat) with more lattice work, with something to obscure seeing inside the hat box, like Tyvek (I don’t expect you own Tyvek), so maybe heavy gauge plastic (cut up 7 mil white trash bags?) and staple or Liquid Nails it to the inside of the lattice box.

There is lots of info on the internet. Here are some ideas: https://www.remodelaholic.com/13-ways-hide-outdoor-eyesores/

How about putting patio blocks down and making it an area to sit. Put a table over the green thing in the middle of the area so that it can be accessed if needed. Get a couple of comphy chairs. Get some large, pretty pots and put some pretty flowers and small shrubs in them, put them on wheeled bases and put them around to cover the meter and boxes that way the can also be moved if service is needed. Maybe a small solar water fountain. There are also decorative splash blocks for the downspout.

On a budget. Easiest solution are three large planters. One on each side of the window. One would hide the meter and the other would add symmetry. Another planter in front on the electrical green tower to "hide" it. Or a small bench in front of the green tower for a sitting area.

Put up a lattice across the front about 2 ft off the sidewalk. Put 6-7 day lilies in front and two clematis behind it to climb the lattice. Budget - put lilies in first month, posts second month, lattice third, clematis last. Don't get too hung up on what people think or you'll never move forward.