The Neighborhood Association Program was created in 1992 through the City of Delray Beach's local comprehensive planning process.  The Program serves as a tool for enhancing the communication within neighborhoods and the City.  Through the Program, residents are provided a forum for discussing neighborhood problems and devising workable solutions.  By creating a link to local government, the Program offers Delray Beach residents an opportunity to become part of a process to positively affect their neighborhood and community.
 
Within the City of Delray Beach, there are over one hundred and fifty (150) neighborhood associations.  Since the Program's inception, an average of six (6) new organizations form each year.  The issues which guide neighborhoods into establishing associations may vary from one neighborhood to another.  Some may unite to address concerns related to rising crime, traffic or speeding in their neighborhood.  Others may organize to show their dissatisfaction with the aging infrastructure in their neighborhood.  Still others, may want to express their concern over the number of deteriorating housing units in their neighborhood and the resulting decrease in the value of their homes.  Though all unique in some way, neighborhood associations share a common desire to protect the integrity of their neighborhood through the establishment of security, goodwill and a sense of community.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION PROGRAM
AS A RESOURCE...

The hardest part of any project is getting started. Thinking about organizing a neighborhood association is easier than actually doing it. However, tackling neighborhood issues by yourself can be much more difficult than when in the company of those who share your concerns.  Through the Neighborhood Association Program, the City will assist residents in the formation of neighborhood associations by:

• Making the initial contact with neighborhood residents to identify people interested in actively working to organize an association,
• Producing informational material such as flyers to disseminate into the neighborhood,
• Arranging for neighborhood meetings,
• Identifying and prioritizing neighborhood issues and concerns,
• Guiding the development of neighborhood improvement projects, and

Ensuring information is made available to residents so that they may maintain an active role in all matters affecting their neighborhood.

...AS AN
OPPORTUNITY

The Neighborhood Association Program is not just about organizing...
it's also about creating.
Creating ideas,
Creating working relationships and partnerships,
Creating goals, and
Creating projects that can lead to positive changes in the quality of life in your neighborhood.

Neighborhood improvement projects may involve:

• Crime prevention programming,
• Physical and aesthetic project development,
• Recreational programming, and
• Educational programming.

Projects already administered through the Neighborhood Association Program include:

• Neighborhood beautification with the addition of street trees provided for through the City's "Adopt-A-Tree" Project,
• Exterior house painting through the City's annual "Paint-Up Delray!" community project,
• Litter removal via the City's very own "Adopt-A-Street" program,
• New sidewalk construction to qualifying neighborhoods,
• Housing rehabilitation through the City's Bootstrap Rehabilitation Program, and
• Community open space development, such as community gardens.

For more information on the Neighborhood Association Program call or write:

The City of Delray Beach, Community Improvement Department, 100 NW 1st Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444 at 561-243-7280 or e-mail CDBG@MyDelrayBeach.com.