Good communities are good business. As a commercial real estate professional, taking an active role in making a community a better place will benefit you, your public image, and your bottom line. 

NAR has Community Development Advocacy programs available to help you and your local association get more involved in your community. 

  • Preserve & Expand Housing for the Workforce – Multifamily Development, Housing Fairs & Forums
  • Enhance a Community’s Development & Growth – Downtown Revitalization, Smart Growth, Transit Options
  • Support Housing and Land Use Regulations & Decisions – Mixed-use Zoning, Parking & Rental Housing Regulations
  • Enable our members to become Leaders in the Community – Board/Commission Members, Project Partners

Programs to Consider in Your Community

Smart Growth

  • Land Use Initiative: Review of proposed land use measures that may affect your business.
  • Placemaking: Transform an unused or underused property in your community to one that will increase the value of properties around it.

Housing

  • Workforce Housing Forumpdf: Every community has housing challenges that need to be addressed. Ensure your commercial needs are discussed by partnering to organize a local forum.
  • Employer-Assisted Housingpdf: The employers you work with can help their employees buy or purchase a home. You can provide information on multifamily projects available to lease or buy.

Grants & Funding

Funding is available to state and local REALTOR® associations to help plan, organize, and implement community outreach programs:

See how other local REALTOR® associations have used an NAR Community Development Advocacy program for commercial activities:  
NAR Community Development Advocacy Programs for Commercial Activities

Resources

View or download the Community Outreach and Commercial Real Estate brochurepdf. If you would like printed copies to distribute at your next commercial firm or board meeting, email membersupport@realtors.org.

Placemaking Webinars Series

REALTOR® Action Center's Placemaking Webinars Series features placemaking specialists and REALTORS® involved in placemaking providing additional guidance to help you implement an activity in your community. Register for an upcoming webinar or listen to the recorded version of previous webinars.

Notice: The information on this page may not be current. The archive is a collection of content previously published on one or more NAR web properties. Archive pages are not updated and may no longer be accurate. Users must independently verify the accuracy and currency of the information found here. The National Association of REALTORS® disclaims all liability for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information or data found on this page.