INTRODUCTION
Strong Neighborhoods are important to the growth and vitality of the City of Arlington , and so providing resources and assistance to Arlington neighborhoods is a primary goal of the Mayor , City Council , and City staff who serve the citizens . Building strong neighborhoods is an effort that involves residents and city government working together to create strong , unique , and collaborative neighborhoods that exemplify the “ American Dream City ” motto and where residents love to live , learn , work , and play . The Neighborhood Organizational Handbook has been designed to function as an informational resource for citizens that are interested in organizing their neighborhood . The information is presented in a sequential format to provide quick and easy access . Readers should feel free to utilize the document as a reference and contact staff with any questions or comments regarding this document or the Neighborhood Engagement Program .
TYPES OF ASSOCIATIONS Each neighborhood organization is unique and has varying issues , interests and purposes .
Homeowners ’ Association
Neighborhood Association
Community Watch Group
A homeowners ’ association is typically formed by a subdivision developer for the maintenance of common property and to preserve the homeowners ’ investment . New HOAs can only be formed with 100 % approval of the property owners within the proposed HOA boundary and are unlikely to be formed after a neighborhood is developed .
A neighborhood association is a voluntary group of individuals and organizations ( whether homeowners , renters , businesses , churches , etc .) who form a group for the sole purpose of maintaining and improving a neighborhood .
A Community Watch is formed with the assistance of the Arlington Police Department Crime Prevention Unit and is primarily involved with neighborhood crime issues . It seeks active participation of citizens in addressing vandalism , speeding , cut through traffic , garage burglaries , etc .
BENEFITS TO ORGANIZING NEIGHBORHOODS Through neighborhood organizing , residents get to know each other better while working to improving their community . Some of the benefits of having an organized association include :
� Facilitating achievement of common neighborhood goals � Providing the neighborhood with a common voice and an effective means of communicating with government officials and other instrumental groups � Empowering neighborhoods to have input in events happening in their areas
Neighborhood Organizational Handbook – Arlington , Texas 1