Neighborhood Status Assessments (NSA) begin with interested residents contacting the City. A City Liaison is assigned to the neighborhood and provides support, resources, and best practices over 12-18 months.

The ultimate goal of the NSA is to empower residents to manage their neighborhood association independently.

The City Liaison distributes a survey and conducts at least 50 interviews of neighborhood residents. The NSA concludes with a comprehensive written document on neighborhood history, demographics, and data.

A Neighborhood Association is a community-based, voluntary organization of residents who come together to improve the quality of life in a neighborhood.

• Membership is determined by bylaws but is usually open to all property owners, residents, and businesses in the neighborhood. Participation is voluntary, and boundaries are established by the association in the bylaws.
• There is no legal authority to place liens or require maintenance or design requirements beyond those established by City and/or County Ordinances.

VS.

Homeowners Associations are formal legal entities created when an area is platted or built to maintain common areas and enforce private deed restrictions. Most condominium and townhouse developments and many newer subdivisions have homeowners' associations, but these are primarily created when the development is built.

• Membership is mandatory for all property owners within the boundaries of the HOA.
• Members are usually charged mandatory dues and can have liens placed on their property, depending on the bylaws.
• Homeowners associations have the legal authority to legislate maintenance and design standards and those established by City or County ordinance.