A neighborhood association (NA) is a group of residents or property owners who advocate to organize activities within a neighborhood. An association may have elected leaders and voluntary dues. Some neighborhood associations in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., federal district, five ma ...

are incorporated, may be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(4)

nonprofit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

, and may enjoy freedom from taxation from their home state. The term ''neighborhood association'' is sometimes incorrectly used instead of homeowners association. But neighborhood associations are not homeowners associations - groups of property owners with the legal authority to enforce rules and regulations that focus on restrictions and building and safety issues. A neighborhood association is a group of neighbors and business owners who work together for changes and improvements such as neighborhood safety, beautification and social activities. They reinforce rules and regulations through education, peer pressure and by looking out for each other. Some key differences include: * HOA membership is mandatory generally through rules tied to the ownership of property like

deed restriction A covenant, in its most general sense and historical sense, is a solemn promise to engage in or refrain from a specified action. Under historical English common law, a covenant was distinguished from an ordinary contract by the presence of a se ...

s. Neighborhood association membership is voluntary or informal. * HOAs often own and maintain common property, such as recreational facilities, parks, and roads, whereas neighborhood associations are focused on general advocacy and community events. The rules for formation of a neighborhood association in the United States are sometimes regulated at the city or state level. Neighborhood councils are also a different type of entity within a city, whose officers are generally elected, are composed of various neighborhood associations and, as such, may be subject to limitations and special rules set up by the council. Neighborhood associations are more likely to be formed in older, established neighborhoods, especially those that predate HOAs. HOAs are generally established at the time a residential neighborhood is built and sold. Sometimes older established neighborhoods form an HOA to help regulate rules and standards. In some cases, neighborhood associations exist simultaneously with HOAs, and each may not encompass identical boundaries. In one example, newer

infill In urban planning, infill, or in-fill, is the rededication of land in an urban environment, usually open-space, to new construction. Infill also applies, within an urban polity, to construction on any undeveloped land that is not on the urban mar ...

neighborhoods built decades after the original, surrounding HOA-less neighborhood may have its own HOA but also be within the boundaries of a NA. In the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

, it is known as a residents' association.

Grassroots and straddler organizations

While neighborhood associations in the United States often function in a similar manner, other areas of the world demonstrate different forms of neighborhood associations. These may share basic characteristics with traditional grassroots organizations but yet often remain distinctly different. Benjamin Read refers to this variety of organizations as "straddlers for their spanning of the state-society divide." Neighborhood Associations in terms of grassroots organizations compared to straddler organizations can be distinguished by the following characteristics: ''Grassroots'' * Ultra local level * Citizens’ organizations * Ideas are authentic & pure * Driven by community volunteers * Develop naturally & spontaneously * Autonomous from government and politics ''Neighborhood-based Straddler organizations'' * East & Southeast Asia * Extensive grassroots presence * Engage widespread participation * Linked to state rather than independent of it * Governments actively shape their citizens' lives To expand on the variety of global neighborhood associations present, an example can be used from certain NAs in Asia.

Neighborhood association frameworks in Asia

There exists four general frameworks to understanding how a local organization, such as a neighborhood association, may straddle the state-society realm. They are: * Civil Society Theory – Local citizens' groups are autonomous from government * Mass organizations – Ultimate government control; ruling party dominates specific sectors of society *

Corporatism Corporatism is a collectivist political ideology which advocates the organization of society by corporate groups, such as agricultural, labour, military, business, scientific, or guild associations, on the basis of their common interests. Th ...

– State structuring of societal interests * State-Society Synergy- Government and communities partner to enhance each other's efforts The relationship between the states and the various forms of neighborhood association may also be identified by its level of statism. Mass organizations would be considered the most statist, where the local associations are closely linked to the state. The Civil Society theory is considered the least statist and here the local associations are extremely self-reliant. Between the most and least statist points are corporatist and state-society synergy; they operate with government and depend on its sponsorship but remain free from direct control. China, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Thailand provide examples of how the four frameworks and statism levels play a role in guiding the overall purpose and ultimate goal of the neighborhood-based organizations in each county.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Neighborhood Association Neighborhood associations fr:Association de quartier ja:町内会

Grassroots and straddler organizations

Neighborhood association frameworks in Asia

See also

References