Form a Neighborhood Association

The Benefits

1. City Grants
   • $6 per household to hold social events and fund Neighborhood activities.
   • Add an additional $100 the first year will get you off the ground.
   • Max: $2100 first year
2. Knowledge
   • Management changes
   • Rent increases
   • Parking problems
   • Safety Issues
3. Power
   • There is strength in numbers!
   • Individual complaints get lost or ignored.
   • When problems arise in your park, the City listens.
4. Fun
   • Host social events in your park paid for with City funds.
   • Meet new friends.
   • Schedule game nights.
5. Protection
   • Knowing your neighbors is the best way to keep your neighborhood safe.
   • Have the MVPD community officer come to your meeting to fill you in on the crime in your area and prevention tactics.

The Steps

1. Find neighbors who are ready to start a Neighborhood Association.
   Meet to discuss the idea and share email addresses so you can communicate easily.
2. Decide on a time to invite all of your neighbors to a meeting to discuss the idea. Have a sign-in sheet to gather names, email addresses, phone numbers, and space numbers for those interested in being on the Steering Committee.
3. Create an email group to communicate with each other. This is helpful for setting up meetings, discussing bylaws, defining neighborhood boundaries, and holding votes.
   • Tip:  The Alliance can help!
     We are willing to share our G Suite account with our neighborhood partners to save them money and setup time.  Email us at Hello@mvmha.com if you are interested.
4. Santiago Villa Neighborhood Association has provided a copy of their Bylaws to help you establish the rules of your organization. Customize the following sections to meet your park’s needs:
   • Article II Membership – #4 Boundaries.
     Tip: A neighborhood can be just your Mobile Home Park, or it can include businesses, schools, and other residential areas. But it cannot overlap another neighborhood association, and all residents in your boundaries must be invited to all meetings.
   • Article III Board size and composition
   • Article VII Election times
   • Article IX Meeting times
5. Keep basic meeting minutes from the time you enact your bylaws. You will submit these minutes and your bylaws to the city.
6. Vote to form the Neighborhood Association and enact the bylaws. Once the bylaws are enacted, you are ready to elect the Board.
7. Now apply for the City grant. You can use SVNA’s grant application to help you define your own. It is wise to include all the projects you are considering for pre-approval, but you will only be reimbursed up to your grant limit. This allows you the flexibility to choose the projects or events later. Submit to the City following the instructions on the application.