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First readWhat to know+
Topic: Mayor's Assistance Office helps neighbors connect with the City of HoustonWho It Helps: All Houston residents who need city services or want to get involved in their communityWhat They Do: Fixes citizen concerns, supports neighborhoods, and makes city services work betterCommunity Role: Supports civic clubs and encourages people to participate in improving their neighborhoodsSource: City of Houston Mayor's Assistance Office (MAO)
Next rungHow to step in+
Good first step: Act Mayor's Assistance Office
Call or visit the Mayor's Assistance Office and say: 'Hi, I live in Houston and I want to learn how my neighborhood can get help with city services or join a civic club.'
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
Ongoing
Houston neighborhoods
- **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
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.
