As housing and community development discussions intensify nationwide, multifamily housing professional Jeff Herter is urging local leaders, business owners, and residents to shift their focus from quick fixes to long-term neighborhood health. With over fifteen years of experience managing multifamily properties, Herter argues that thriving communities are not created by a single major project or policy but by a series of consistent improvements that foster connection and resilience over time.
"People often look for one thing that will transform a neighborhood," Herter said. "In my experience, meaningful change usually comes from a series of smaller improvements that build on one another. It might be a local business opening its doors, a park being renovated, or homeowners investing in their properties. Those individual decisions create momentum."
This approach aligns with research from the National Association of Realtors, which identifies neighborhood quality, access to amenities, and nearby businesses as leading factors in residential choices. Communities that invest in walkability, public spaces, and local services tend to become more attractive to both current and potential residents. Herter emphasizes that successful neighborhoods are defined not only by their buildings but also by the people who inhabit them.
"When I visit a community, I pay attention to more than the property itself," he said. "I notice whether local businesses are busy, whether people are spending time in parks, and whether residents seem connected to the neighborhood. Those are often signs that people believe in where they live."
Herter encourages community leaders to adopt a patient approach to revitalization. "There is a tendency to look for immediate results," he noted, "but healthy communities usually develop over years, not months. Progress often comes from making thoughtful decisions consistently instead of trying to solve everything at once."
The U.S. Census Bureau reports ongoing population shifts as people relocate for employment, affordability, and quality of life. These trends heighten the need for neighborhoods that offer strong local amenities, safe public spaces, and opportunities for lasting connections. Herter believes every community possesses strengths that can serve as a foundation for future growth.
"I think one of the biggest mistakes people make is focusing only on what needs to be fixed," he said. "Every neighborhood has something worth building on. When communities recognize those strengths and continue investing in them, they create places where people want to stay."
Local businesses play a pivotal role in this process. "Small businesses are often among the first to demonstrate confidence in a community," Herter explained. "When entrepreneurs choose to open a restaurant, a coffee shop, or another local business, they are making a long-term commitment to that neighborhood. Those investments help create places where people gather and build relationships."
Rather than measuring success by rapid change, Herter advocates for steady, sustainable progress. "The strongest neighborhoods I've visited weren't necessarily the newest or the most expensive," he said. "They were places where people cared about their community and continued making small improvements year after year. That's what creates lasting success."
Herter encourages residents to get involved by supporting locally owned businesses, participating in neighborhood events, volunteering with community organizations, and taking pride in their surroundings. He believes that long-term neighborhood growth is not the responsibility of one group alone but the collective result of many positive contributions over time.
