Useful Community Development: What's New
Here are the most recent important changes to our website, including new articles, visitor questions, and editors' answers. You'll also find links to significantly revised pages and time-sensitive or short items we want to bring to your attention. Sometimes we also add short items of interest, especially time-sensitive notes about conferences, webinars, or seasons.
Manufactured Housing Advantages and Disadvantages to Communities
Manufactured housing, once called mobile homes or trailers, provides affordable places to live but raises concerns about community appearance and character.
Continue reading "Manufactured Housing Advantages and Disadvantages to Communities"
When Zoning Variances Should Be Granted
Zoning variances are granted by boards of appeals or adjustment. These should be granted only in cases of unique hardship due to irregular parcels.
Short Term Rental Zoning Advice for Community Leaders
Short term rental zoning provisions should address potential problems before they happen. See our list of potential regulations..
Continue reading "Short Term Rental Zoning Advice for Community Leaders"
Subdivision Regulation Aims for Quality Infrastructure
Subdivision regulation establishes standards for land to be divided and offered for sale. Good local standards protect both local government and home buyers.
Continue reading "Subdivision Regulation Aims for Quality Infrastructure"
Pumpkin Festival Connects Residents
In 2021 the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri, was able to resume its annual Pumpkinfest. Although it is sponsored by the museum in this city
Zoning for Bed and Breakfast Inns Overview
Zoning for bed and breakfast uses gives communities control over any potential problems. These establishments can add character and prosperity to towns.
Continue reading "Zoning for Bed and Breakfast Inns Overview"
Winter Newsletter Ideas for Neighborhoods and Homeowner Associations
For fresh winter newsletter ideas or prompts for your social media during colder months, this page provides some useful cues.
Continue reading "Winter Newsletter Ideas for Neighborhoods and Homeowner Associations"
Asset-Based Community Development Empowers Neighborhoods
Asset-based community development emphasizes identifying neighborhood strengths and talents instead of problems. This creates energy for change.
Continue reading "Asset-Based Community Development Empowers Neighborhoods"
Invest in City Hall or other land uses
Visitor Question: When you have 60 acres empty in the middle of town, does it make sense to invest in the city hall over housing? Culture? Entrepreneurs?
How registering empty properties helps curb appeal
Visitor Question: Our community has a number of abandoned and dilapidated buildings that need to be taken down or repaired. Please tell me about the article
Continue reading "How registering empty properties helps curb appeal"
Changing the Name of a Town
Visitor Question: What are the steps in the process of changing the name of a town? Our town and its attending unincorporated areas sharing the same zip
Apartment Dumpster Area Problem
Visitor Question: Should apartment dumpster areas be enclosed for safety and health reasons? If you rent and requested an enclosure be done and still
What qualifies a church as a Faith Based Community Development Center?
What qualifies a church as a Faith Based Community Development Center? Outside of the entities listed below, is there anything else? 1. 501c3 2. Community
Continue reading "What qualifies a church as a Faith Based Community Development Center?"
Adaptive Reuse Sometimes Yields Spectacular Results
Adaptive reuse, or converting old buildings to a new use, is an attractive means of adding distinctive and marketable housing or business to a community.
Continue reading "Adaptive Reuse Sometimes Yields Spectacular Results"
Heir Property Damages Neighborhoods as Well as Families
Heir property is common in some American neighborhoods. When a person dies without a will, heirs probably lack clear title. Houses in limbo harm neighborhoods.
Continue reading "Heir Property Damages Neighborhoods as Well as Families"
Subscribe to our monthly e-mail newsletter, called USEFUL COMMUNITY PLUS, which provides you with short features or tips about timely topics for neighborhoods, towns and cities, community organizations, rural environments, and our international friends. Unsubscribe any time. Give it a try.