"A civic organization gives your neighborhood a voice. It helps you share concerns, set priorities, and work together on projects — from fixing a local issue to connecting your block to city-wide plans. Short-term, you get organized. Long-term, your neighborhood has a seat at the table."
The City of Houston's Mayor's Assistance Office (MAO) helps neighbors start and grow civic clubs, block associations, homeowner groups, and other community organizations. This guide walks you through the basics — from your first meeting to long-term neighborhood planning.
This is a step-by-step guide for starting a neighborhood civic group. It covers the types of groups you can form, what to do at your first meeting, and how to set your organization up legally. It also shares tips on keeping members engaged, running good meetings, and planning for the future.
Types of groups covered include:
- Block Associations
- Tenant Associations
- Homeowner Associations
- Civic Clubs
- Community Housing Development Organizations
- Neighborhood Coalitions
- Neighborhood Development Organizations
**Getting started:**
- Find neighbors willing to volunteer their time
- Hold a first meeting to collect contact info, name the group, set boundaries, and appoint a temporary chair
- Identify the top needs your group wants to address
**Making it official:**
- Prepare Articles of Incorporation to get a Texas state charter
- Write and adopt by-laws
- Apply for a Texas franchise tax exemption
- Apply for IRS tax-exempt status
**Keeping it going:**
- Figure out how to recruit and keep members and officers
- Keep meetings short and focused
- Decide how you'll handle finances, records, and publicity
- Reach out to your City of Houston neighborhood liaison for guidance
- **Department of Neighborhoods** — Five divisions that help resolve neighborhood concerns and support community programs
- **Super Neighborhoods** — A city program that connects civic groups to larger regional planning efforts
- **Neighborhood Liaisons** — City staff assigned to help your community navigate city services and resources
- **3-1-1** — Houston's help and info line for city services
- Contact neighbors who might want to help start or join a civic group
- Email OurNeighborhoods@houstontx.gov to connect with your neighborhood liaison
- Use the Civic Club Registration Form to register your group with the city
- Look up the Civic Club Directory to see if a group near you already exists
- Call 3-1-1 if you have questions about city services or need to report a concern
- Visit the MAO website to explore resources for neighborhood organizing
