What's the Difference between a Neighborhood Association, a Homeowners Association and a Neighborhood Watch?

Quality of life in a neighborhood has become important, perhaps more now that an increasing number of people are working from home.  The degree of care of what goes on in your neighborhood has increased over the last couple of years because we spend more time in our homes.  Let’s define the differences between three groups:  A “Neighborhood Association”, a “Neighborhood Watch” and a “Homeowner’s Association”.

Neighborhood Association:

Typically, Neighborhood Associations are comprised of volunteers and formed to explore, discuss, and develop solutions to issues or problems that a neighborhood may experience.  They meet to exchange information and ideas, create priorities and generate or propose solutions.  These issues my include the replacement of sidewalks, street lighting, bike paths, neighborhood cleanup, park space or even devices which address traffic and speed issues.  To be most effective, neighborhood associations typically interact with local government officials and municipal departments.  There may be an annual fee paid by participants to defray the cost of various expenses incurred by the neighborhood association.

Homeowners Association

Homeowners Associations are generally created by real estate developers as a method of managing the expense of common area amenities of a community such as tennis courts or a community recreation building or exterior space.  A homeowner’s association might also be charged with negotiating contracts with vendors such as snow removal or landscape maintenance.  They oversee and govern various details of the aesthetics of a community such as what type of exterior siding or color selections of siding a homeowner can place on their home.   Usually, there is an a monthly, quarterly, or annual assessment or a “HOA fee” which will be charged for the proper maintenance of buildings and grounds.  The homeowner’s association asks for volunteers, each serving a specific term and charged with the stewardship of the association.

Neighborhood Watch

This may be the most recognizable neighborhood initiatives with the “Boris the Burglar” signs and decals.  A Neighborhood Watch Group, a creation of the National Sheriffs Association, is a group of concerned residents and citizens who, by working together, implement initiatives that make their neighborhood safer.  A neighborhood watch group works directly with local law enforcement to make their neighborhood safer.  They not only work to maintain and elevate the safety of a neighborhood, but also provide aid to neighbors during natural disasters.