What to Expect at a Super Neighborhood Meeting

What is a Super Neighborhood?

Houston is divided into 88 Super Neighborhoods — geographic areas that each have a volunteer council of residents. Super Neighborhood Councils are officially recognized by the City of Houston and serve as the primary bridge between neighborhoods and city government. Your Super Neighborhood is your most local civic community.

Find yours: houstontx.gov/superneighborhoods

The basics

When: Each council sets its own schedule. Most meet monthly, usually on a weekday evening (6:00-8:00 PM).

Where: Community centers, libraries, churches, or schools within the neighborhood.

How long: Usually 1-2 hours.

Cost: Free. Everyone who lives, works, or owns property in the area can participate.

What happens at the meeting

• City department updates — representatives from Public Works, Parks, Police, and other departments report on neighborhood-specific issues
• Infrastructure requests — streets that need repair, drainage problems, traffic signals, park improvements
• Development review — new construction projects, plat applications, and variances in the area
• Community announcements — events, volunteer opportunities, safety alerts
• Council business — elections, bylaws, priority lists for capital improvement requests

How to participate

1. Just show up. No registration required. Walk in, sign the attendance sheet, and sit down.
2. Introduce yourself. Most meetings start with introductions. Say your name and street.
3. Raise your hand. When discussion opens, share your issue or ask your question.
4. Join. If you want to become a council member, most allow you to join after attending a few meetings.

Tips for first-timers

• This is the friendliest, most accessible form of civic participation in Houston. These are your literal neighbors.
• You do not need to know anything about government. Bring your experience of living in the neighborhood.
• "The pothole on my street" is a perfectly valid agenda item at this level.
• Council members are volunteers, not politicians. They are residents just like you.
• If the meeting time or location does not work for you, say so. Councils adapt to member needs.
• Many councils need more participants. Your presence helps the council be more representative.
• Bilingual residents are especially valuable — many neighborhoods have diverse populations that need representation.

The Super Neighborhood Alliance

All 88 councils are connected through the Super Neighborhood Alliance, which meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 PM at City Hall. Alliance meetings feature city department heads and cover issues that affect multiple neighborhoods. This is where cross-neighborhood coordination happens.

Getting involved deeper

• Every Super Neighborhood creates a priority list of infrastructure needs. Your council's list goes directly to the Capital Improvement Plan process at City Hall.
• Council leaders meet directly with the Mayor's office and department directors.
• Many Council Members started as Super Neighborhood volunteers. This is the most direct path to civic leadership in Houston.

Find your Super Neighborhood

Visit houstontx.gov/superneighborhoods or contact the Department of Neighborhoods at 832-393-0800.