As housing and community development discussions intensify nationwide, Jeff Herter, a multifamily housing professional with over fifteen years of experience, is urging local leaders, business owners, and residents to prioritize long-term neighborhood health over immediate solutions. Herter, principal of Providence Real Properties, LLC, argues that thriving communities are not built by a single transformative project but through a series of consistent, small improvements that compound 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.”
His perspective 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 attract both current and prospective residents, making such investments critical for sustained growth.
Herter emphasizes that successful neighborhoods extend beyond physical structures to 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.”
He cautions against expecting rapid results from revitalization efforts, urging patience and persistence. “There is a tendency to look for immediate results,” Herter explained. “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.”
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau underscores the shifting demographics affecting communities nationwide, as people relocate for employment, affordability, and quality of life. These trends heighten the importance of neighborhoods that offer strong local amenities, safe public spaces, and opportunities for lasting connections.
Herter believes every community possesses inherent strengths that can anchor 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.”
He also highlights the pivotal role of small businesses in neighborhood vitality. “Small businesses are often among the first to demonstrate confidence in a community,” Herter noted. “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 actively participate in their communities by supporting local businesses, attending neighborhood events, volunteering, and taking pride in their surroundings. He contends that long-term neighborhood growth emerges from collective effort, not the actions of a single group. As communities nationwide grapple with change, Herter's message offers a blueprint for building resilient, connected places that endure.
