Partner With Neighborhood Services

Prince William County is committed to helping neighborhoods
maintain their character and be great places to
live.  It is through the development of strong communities that Prince William has become one of the more desirable places to live in the United States. 
 
We offer many resources. In 2007, the Board of County Supervisors devoted resources to a new Neighborhood Services Division within the Department of Public Works. The Division assists communities with property maintenance issues, litter control and neighborhood capacity building. 
 
The Neighborhood Coordinator brings together County and volunteer resources to help residents develop and strengthen community ties while working to actively improve their neighborhoods.
 
A balance of proactive, progress-oriented outreach to residents and business, the mobilization of citizen volunteers and community advocates, and active enforcement of property codes is what makes Neighborhood Services an effective proponent of strong quality of life throughout the County.

Building Community

Communities cannot sustain themselves without 'social capital.' The idea is that social interconnections between people create the very network that is the community. Many believe that our way of life - rushing off to work school and activities then gathering privately on the back deck - has deteriorated the traditional neighborhood. Today's communities are challenged to find ways to enhance or even establish a sense of community. And for all of our individual independence there still remains one thing that we cannot do on our own: be a community.

Why do we need community? Humans are social. Many residents moved into Prince William County's neighborhoods to have playmates for their children to have friends down the block to feel a sense of belonging to a larger group. A basic desire of residents is to have a safe and healthy home that maintains or increases in value. When neighbors aren't able to talk to each other about property conditions that threaten both value and health and safety they resort to calling County government. 

County government has the authority to cite properties in violation but enforcement alone does little to maintain the fabric of a community. Indeed when the County is called in to talk to a resident the resident feels embarrassed and resentful towards an unknown person who reported the violation. Because neighbors talking to neighbors strengthens the fabric of community the responsibility for talking about property conditions has to fall back to the community to help itself. The neighborhood that helps itself will sustain itself over a long period of time.

The Neighborhood Coordinator provides assistance to communities who are willing to help themselves. It makes no difference if the community is governed by covenants as in a condo or HOA or if there is no HOA; the services are available by calling 703-792-7018 or emailing nsd@pwcgov.org. For more information, click on the links below for details of our programs.

 

Online Database of Condos HOAs and Neighborhood Groups

Are you part of the leadership for a homeowner association (HOA), a condominium board or a neighborhood group? Check the link to our HOA/COA Database to see whether we have updated contact information for your association in our database.   Members of the database that provide an email address receive the bi-monthly Neighborhood News, as well as announcements of educational events through the Neighborhood University. The database allows other neighborhood leaders to contact your organization and gives prospective buyers someone who can tell them about your community.

    

 

Community Group Facilitation and Support

Many of our communities have no organization to accomplish community building. These neighborhoods frequently call upon the Neighborhood Coordinator to assist with group formation, action plan development, resource identification and ongoing support. Condo and HOA leadership need ideas for working with volunteers or assistance in resolving unique and sometimes complex problems.  Assistance is available for both types of groups. 

Information and Education on Community Building and Neighborhood Maintenance

Keep up with what's going on in the neighborhoods with our newsletter the Neighborhood News. Go to the County's eNotifications to create an account. You will receive an electronic copy when a new issue is posted. Communities are welcome to reprint articles from the Neighborhood News in their newsletters.   

Information and knowledge increase the power of neighborhood volunteers. Through the Neighborhood University, Neighborhood Services offers monthly classes a HOA/condo conference in fall and a neighborhood conference in winter. Visit the Neighborhood University for information. 
 

Community Activities

Community Cleanups

A great way to keep your community looking great is to organize a community clean up. During the warm-weather months of the year the PWC Public Works divisions of Neighborhood Services and Solid Waste sponsor County Clean Ups on Saturdays at locations around the County.  
 

Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch is a national program sponsored by the PWC Police to create a sense of pride in a neighborhood while increasing safety. A side benefit to establishing Neighborhood Watch is that it gives neighbors a reason to talk to each other and provides a structure for communication. A community does not have to be riddled with crime to be a candidate for this award-winning program. Think of it as prevention and an opportunity for community involvement!
 

Block Party Planning/Community Social Events 

Community social events such as block parties are a great way to get to know your neighbors and increase participation in neighborhood events. While you don't need a permit, you must contact the police at 703-792-6500 to arrange for the street to be blocked off if necessary.