Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 14 hours ago
What makes a great neighborhood? It’s more than well-kept homes and attractive streets. Strong neighborhoods are places where people know one another, feel connected and take pride in where they live.
In this episode of Inside Plano, hosts Amanda McNew and Shannah Hayley sit down with Housing and Community Services Manager Sandra Ottinger and Neighborhood Engagement Manager Stephanie Peacock to explore the programs and resources available through Plano Neighborhood Services.
Learn how Love Where You Live brings residents, volunteers and City staff together to transform neighborhoods; what it takes to become a BEST Neighborhood; and how neighborhood grants can help turn community ideas into reality. The conversation also explores resources for individual homeowners, including the Great Update Rebate, housing rehabilitation and emergency repair assistance.
Plus, hear why improving one home can create a ripple effect across an entire block — and why simply knowing your neighbors can make your community stronger.
Episode Highlights
00:00 Introductions of Hosts: Amanda McNew and Shannah Hayley and Guests: Sandra Ottinger, Housing and Community Services Manager and Stephanie Peacock, Neighborhood Engagement Manager
01:39 What Neighborhood Services does and how it supports Plano residents
03:42 What makes a neighborhood Beautiful, Engaged, Safe and Thriving
04:35 Why knowing your neighbors can help build a stronger, safer community
07:14 How Love Where You Live brings volunteers, residents and City services together
12:09 How neighborhoods can pursue BEST Neighborhood recognition
15:47 Neighborhood Vitality & Beautification grants
17:43 How The Great Update Rebate helps qualifying homeowners invest in older homes
19:13 How improving individual homes can have a ripple effect throughout a neighborhood
21:05 Housing Rehabilitation Program preserves neighborhoods for income-qualified homeowners
22:35 Story of how Housing Rehab changed a family's life
24:13 Emergency Repair Assistance resources for income-qualified homeowners
25:40 Tip on The Great Update Rebate application
26:25 Where to find your neighborhood planner and get help navigating available programs
28:07 Neighbors Connect invitation
Resources & Links
-Get involved with Love Where You Live: Plano.gov/LWYL, LWYL@Plano.gov
-Plano Neighborhood Services: 972-208-8150, PlanoNeighborhoods.org
-Apply to become a BEST Designated Neighborhood, Neighborhood Vitality & Beautification grant: Plano.gov/BEST
-Housing Rehabilitation Program and Emergency Repair Assistance: Plano.gov/HousingRehab
-Neighbors Connect registration: share.plano.gov/NeighborsConnect
-The Great Update Rebate: Plano.gov/GreatUpdateRebate, If you are considering this program, call the Neighborhood Services number and ask to speak with someone from Community Services before beginning your project. Applications must be completed and approved before work starts, and not all improvements qualify. Oct. 1, 2026 is when new funding becomes available.
About Inside Plano
Inside Plano is the official City of Plano podcast that connects you to the people, places and projects that make our city a great place to live, work and play. New episodes drop monthly on major podcast platforms.
More ways for you to #LovePlano:
*Subscribe to weekly Plano City News: share.plano.gov/PCNyt
*Follow Plano on Social Media: share.plano.gov/Socialyt
*Share what you love about Plano using #LovePlano on social
What makes a great neighborhood? It’s more than well-kept homes and attractive streets. Strong neighborhoods are places where people know one another, feel connected and take pride in where they live.
In this episode of Inside Plano, hosts Amanda McNew and Shannah Hayley sit down with Housing and Community Services Manager Sandra Ottinger and Neighborhood Engagement Manager Stephanie Peacock to explore the programs and resources available through Plano Neighborhood Services.
Learn how Love Where You Live brings residents, volunteers and City staff together to transform neighborhoods; what it takes to become a BEST Neighborhood; and how neighborhood grants can help turn community ideas into reality. The conversation also explores resources for individual homeowners, including the Great Update Rebate, housing rehabilitation and emergency repair assistance.
Plus, hear why improving one home can create a ripple effect across an entire block — and why simply knowing your neighbors can make your community stronger.
Episode Highlights
00:00 Introductions of Hosts: Amanda McNew and Shannah Hayley and Guests: Sandra Ottinger, Housing and Community Services Manager and Stephanie Peacock, Neighborhood Engagement Manager
01:39 What Neighborhood Services does and how it supports Plano residents
03:42 What makes a neighborhood Beautiful, Engaged, Safe and Thriving
04:35 Why knowing your neighbors can help build a stronger, safer community
07:14 How Love Where You Live brings volunteers, residents and City services together
12:09 How neighborhoods can pursue BEST Neighborhood recognition
15:47 Neighborhood Vitality & Beautification grants
17:43 How The Great Update Rebate helps qualifying homeowners invest in older homes
19:13 How improving individual homes can have a ripple effect throughout a neighborhood
21:05 Housing Rehabilitation Program preserves neighborhoods for income-qualified homeowners
22:35 Story of how Housing Rehab changed a family's life
24:13 Emergency Repair Assistance resources for income-qualified homeowners
25:40 Tip on The Great Update Rebate application
26:25 Where to find your neighborhood planner and get help navigating available programs
28:07 Neighbors Connect invitation
Resources & Links
-Get involved with Love Where You Live: Plano.gov/LWYL, LWYL@Plano.gov
-Plano Neighborhood Services: 972-208-8150, PlanoNeighborhoods.org
-Apply to become a BEST Designated Neighborhood, Neighborhood Vitality & Beautification grant: Plano.gov/BEST
-Housing Rehabilitation Program and Emergency Repair Assistance: Plano.gov/HousingRehab
-Neighbors Connect registration: share.plano.gov/NeighborsConnect
-The Great Update Rebate: Plano.gov/GreatUpdateRebate, If you are considering this program, call the Neighborhood Services number and ask to speak with someone from Community Services before beginning your project. Applications must be completed and approved before work starts, and not all improvements qualify. Oct. 1, 2026 is when new funding becomes available.
About Inside Plano
Inside Plano is the official City of Plano podcast that connects you to the people, places and projects that make our city a great place to live, work and play. New episodes drop monthly on major podcast platforms.
More ways for you to #LovePlano:
*Subscribe to weekly Plano City News: share.plano.gov/PCNyt
*Follow Plano on Social Media: share.plano.gov/Socialyt
*Share what you love about Plano using #LovePlano on social
