Building Better Together: A Reflection on Community and Collaboration

Creating meaningful change in housing and community development often feels like an uphill battle. The challenges are real, from navigating zoning codes to balancing budgets and securing financing, and it’s easy to feel isolated in the process. But the truth is, no one has to go it alone. There are incredible communities out there—both in person and online—where people come together to share knowledge, offer support, and inspire one another.

One such example is the "Neighborhood Development" Facebook group, an invaluable resource for developers of missing middle housing and advocates of Incremental Development. It’s more than just a forum—it’s a community built on a generosity of spirit, led by the inspiring example of R. John Anderson and others. Within this group, members share their challenges and solutions, exchange designs and site plans, and support one another’s efforts to create meaningful change. The openness and collaboration on display are truly inspiring, especially in a field where competition could easily overshadow cooperation.

This spirit of generosity is something I hope resonates with everyone who cares about the kind of work that we are doing at MicroLife Institute. Whether through a Facebook group, a professional association, or an informal network, there’s so much value in being part of a community that’s willing to share ideas and work toward a common goal. Yes, competition exists, but often we’re working in entirely different markets—and we’re united by the same mission: making a difference, one parcel at a time.

As the holidays approach, it’s a good time to reflect on the value of these connections. However you celebrate, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the designers, planners, developers, community leaders, and advocates out there who are working to build better communities. Let their generosity of spirit inspire us to keep helping each other and making change, piece by piece.

One of many examples of a posting to the Neighborhood Development Facebook group.