Community Needs Assessment
This community needs assessment survey helps local governments and planning organizations understand what matters most to residents. Collect data on service satisfaction, infrastructure priorities, safety concerns, and quality of life factors. The form uses matrix questions for efficient data collection and priority ranking to guide budget and planning decisions.
Try the Form
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export function communityNeedsSurvey(form: FormTs) {
// Community Needs Assessment - Government planning and resident input
// Demonstrates: MatrixQuestion, Slider, StarRating, RadioButton, CheckboxList, EmojiRating, SuggestionChips, conditional visibility, dynamic styling, computed values
// ============================================
// HEADER
// ============================================
form.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header', {
label: 'Community Needs Assessment',
computedValue: () => 'Your voice shapes our community. Help us understand your priorities and improve local services.',
customStyles: {
backgroundColor: '#1e40af',
color: 'white',
padding: '24px',
borderRadius: '12px',
textAlign: 'center'
}
});
});
// ============================================
// SECTION 1: Resident Information
// ============================================
const residentSection = form.addSubform('resident', {
title: 'About You'
});
residentSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('neighborhood', {
label: 'Which neighborhood or district do you live in?',
options: [
{ id: 'downtown', name: 'Downtown/City Center' },
{ id: 'north', name: 'North District' },
{ id: 'south', name: 'South District' },
{ id: 'east', name: 'East District' },
{ id: 'west', name: 'West District' },
{ id: 'suburban', name: 'Suburban Area' },
{ id: 'rural', name: 'Rural/Outlying Area' }
],
isRequired: true,
placeholder: 'Select your area...'
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('residencyLength', {
label: 'How long have you lived in our community?',
options: [
{ id: 'less-1', name: 'Less than 1 year' },
{ id: '1-3', name: '1-3 years' },
{ id: '3-5', name: '3-5 years' },
{ id: '5-10', name: '5-10 years' },
{ id: 'more-10', name: 'More than 10 years' },
{ id: 'lifetime', name: 'Lifetime resident' }
],
isRequired: true,
placeholder: 'Select duration...'
}, '1fr');
});
residentSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckboxList('householdType', {
label: 'Which best describes your household? (Select all that apply)',
options: [
{ id: 'children', name: 'Household with children under 18' },
{ id: 'seniors', name: 'Household with seniors 65+' },
{ id: 'disability', name: 'Household member with disability' },
{ id: 'renter', name: 'Renter' },
{ id: 'homeowner', name: 'Homeowner' },
{ id: 'business', name: 'Business owner in community' }
],
orientation: 'vertical'
});
});
// ============================================
// SECTION 2: Quality of Life
// ============================================
const qualitySection = form.addSubform('quality', {
title: 'Quality of Life',
customStyles: () => {
const satisfaction = qualitySection.emojiRating('overallSatisfaction')?.value();
if (satisfaction === 'excellent' || satisfaction === 'good') {
return { backgroundColor: '#ecfdf5', padding: '16px', borderRadius: '8px' };
}
if (satisfaction === 'bad' || satisfaction === 'very-bad') {
return { backgroundColor: '#fef2f2', padding: '16px', borderRadius: '8px' };
}
return { padding: '16px', borderRadius: '8px', border: '1px dashed #e5e7eb' };
}
});
qualitySection.addRow(row => {
row.addEmojiRating('overallSatisfaction', {
label: 'Overall, how satisfied are you with the quality of life in our community?',
preset: 'satisfaction',
size: 'lg',
showLabels: true,
alignment: 'center'
});
});
qualitySection.addRow(row => {
row.addSlider('yearsRemaining', {
label: 'How many more years do you plan to live in this community?',
min: 0,
max: 20,
step: 1,
showValue: true,
unit: ' years',
defaultValue: 10,
isVisible: () => qualitySection.emojiRating('overallSatisfaction')?.value() !== null
});
});
// ============================================
// SECTION 3: Municipal Services Assessment (Matrix)
// ============================================
const servicesSection = form.addSubform('services', {
title: 'Municipal Services Assessment'
});
servicesSection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('servicesInstructions', {
computedValue: () => 'Rate your satisfaction with each municipal service based on your experience.',
customStyles: {
backgroundColor: '#eff6ff',
padding: '12px 16px',
borderRadius: '8px',
borderLeft: '4px solid #3b82f6',
fontSize: '14px'
}
});
});
servicesSection.addRow(row => {
row.addMatrixQuestion('serviceSatisfaction', {
label: 'Service Satisfaction',
rows: [
{ id: 'roads', label: 'Roads & Streets', description: 'Maintenance, potholes, snow removal', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'water', label: 'Water & Sewer', description: 'Quality, reliability, billing', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'trash', label: 'Waste Collection', description: 'Pickup, recycling, bulk items', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'parks', label: 'Parks & Recreation', description: 'Facilities, programs, maintenance', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'police', label: 'Police Services', description: 'Response time, visibility, community relations', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'fire', label: 'Fire & Emergency', description: 'Response, prevention, education', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'library', label: 'Library Services', description: 'Hours, resources, programs', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'permits', label: 'Permits & Licensing', description: 'Process, wait times, staff helpfulness', isRequired: true }
],
columns: [
{ id: 'na', label: 'N/A' },
{ id: '1', label: 'Poor' },
{ id: '2', label: 'Fair' },
{ id: '3', label: 'Good' },
{ id: '4', label: 'Very Good' },
{ id: '5', label: 'Excellent' }
],
striped: true,
fullWidth: true
});
});
// ============================================
// SECTION 4: Priority Needs
// ============================================
const prioritySection = form.addSubform('priority', {
title: 'Community Priorities'
});
prioritySection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('priorityInstructions', {
computedValue: () => 'Select the areas that need the MOST attention and improvement in our community.',
customStyles: {
backgroundColor: '#fef3c7',
padding: '12px 16px',
borderRadius: '8px',
borderLeft: '4px solid #f59e0b',
fontSize: '14px'
}
});
});
prioritySection.addRow(row => {
row.addSuggestionChips('topPriorities', {
label: 'Select your TOP 3 priority areas:',
suggestions: [
{ id: 'affordable-housing', name: 'Affordable Housing' },
{ id: 'job-growth', name: 'Job Growth & Economy' },
{ id: 'public-safety', name: 'Public Safety' },
{ id: 'road-repair', name: 'Road Repair' },
{ id: 'public-transit', name: 'Public Transportation' },
{ id: 'schools', name: 'Schools & Education' },
{ id: 'healthcare', name: 'Healthcare Access' },
{ id: 'environment', name: 'Environment & Sustainability' },
{ id: 'recreation', name: 'Recreation & Parks' },
{ id: 'senior-services', name: 'Senior Services' },
{ id: 'youth-programs', name: 'Youth Programs' },
{ id: 'internet', name: 'Broadband/Internet' }
],
min: 1,
max: 3,
alignment: 'center'
});
});
// ============================================
// SECTION 5: Infrastructure Needs (Matrix)
// ============================================
const infrastructureSection = form.addSubform('infrastructure', {
title: 'Infrastructure Assessment'
});
infrastructureSection.addRow(row => {
row.addMatrixQuestion('infrastructureCondition', {
label: 'Rate the current condition of each infrastructure element:',
rows: [
{ id: 'sidewalks', label: 'Sidewalks & Pedestrian Paths', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'streetlights', label: 'Street Lighting', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'drainage', label: 'Storm Drainage', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'bike-lanes', label: 'Bike Lanes & Trails', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'bridges', label: 'Bridges & Overpasses', isRequired: true },
{ id: 'public-buildings', label: 'Public Buildings', isRequired: true }
],
columns: [
{ id: 'dk', label: "Don't Know" },
{ id: 'poor', label: 'Poor' },
{ id: 'needs-work', label: 'Needs Work' },
{ id: 'acceptable', label: 'Acceptable' },
{ id: 'good', label: 'Good' },
{ id: 'excellent', label: 'Excellent' }
],
striped: true,
fullWidth: true
});
});
// ============================================
// SECTION 6: Safety & Security
// ============================================
const safetySection = form.addSubform('safety', {
title: 'Safety & Security'
});
safetySection.addRow(row => {
row.addStarRating('safetySense', {
label: 'How safe do you feel in your neighborhood?',
maxStars: 5,
size: 'lg',
alignment: 'center'
});
});
safetySection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckboxList('safetyConcerns', {
label: 'What are your primary safety concerns? (Select all that apply)',
options: [
{ id: 'property-crime', name: 'Property crime (theft, vandalism)' },
{ id: 'violent-crime', name: 'Violent crime' },
{ id: 'traffic', name: 'Traffic safety' },
{ id: 'pedestrian', name: 'Pedestrian safety' },
{ id: 'drugs', name: 'Drug activity' },
{ id: 'lighting', name: 'Poor lighting' },
{ id: 'emergency-response', name: 'Slow emergency response' },
{ id: 'none', name: 'No significant concerns' }
],
orientation: 'vertical',
isVisible: () => (safetySection.starRating('safetySense')?.value() ?? 5) <= 3
});
});
// ============================================
// SECTION 7: Communication & Engagement
// ============================================
const engagementSection = form.addSubform('engagement', {
title: 'Communication & Engagement'
});
engagementSection.addRow(row => {
row.addRatingScale('informedRating', {
label: 'How well-informed do you feel about local government decisions and projects?',
preset: 'likert-5',
lowLabel: 'Not informed at all',
highLabel: 'Very well informed',
alignment: 'center'
});
});
engagementSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckboxList('preferredChannels', {
label: 'How would you prefer to receive information from local government?',
options: [
{ id: 'email', name: 'Email newsletter' },
{ id: 'website', name: 'Municipal website' },
{ id: 'social', name: 'Social media' },
{ id: 'mail', name: 'Mailed notices' },
{ id: 'newspaper', name: 'Local newspaper' },
{ id: 'meetings', name: 'Public meetings' },
{ id: 'app', name: 'Mobile app' },
{ id: 'radio', name: 'Local radio/TV' }
],
orientation: 'vertical'
});
});
engagementSection.addRow(row => {
row.addThumbRating('attendMeetings', {
label: 'Would you be interested in attending more public meetings if they were more accessible?',
size: 'lg',
showLabels: true,
upLabel: 'Yes, I would attend',
downLabel: 'Probably not',
alignment: 'center'
});
});
// ============================================
// SECTION 8: Open Feedback
// ============================================
const feedbackSection = form.addSubform('feedback', {
title: 'Your Ideas & Suggestions'
});
feedbackSection.addRow(row => {
row.addRadioButton('additionalFeedbackType', {
label: 'Would you like to share additional feedback?',
options: [
{ id: 'yes', name: 'Yes, I have suggestions' },
{ id: 'no', name: 'No, I have shared enough' }
],
orientation: 'horizontal'
});
});
feedbackSection.addSpacer();
feedbackSection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextarea('improvementIdeas', {
label: 'What ONE thing would most improve our community?',
placeholder: 'Share your idea for making our community better...',
rows: 3,
autoExpand: true,
isVisible: () => feedbackSection.radioButton('additionalFeedbackType')?.value() === 'yes'
});
});
feedbackSection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextarea('additionalComments', {
label: 'Any other comments or concerns you would like to share?',
placeholder: 'We are listening...',
rows: 3,
autoExpand: true,
isVisible: () => feedbackSection.radioButton('additionalFeedbackType')?.value() === 'yes'
});
});
// ============================================
// SECTION 9: Summary
// ============================================
const summarySection = form.addSubform('summary', {
title: 'Assessment Summary',
isVisible: () => qualitySection.emojiRating('overallSatisfaction')?.value() !== null
});
summarySection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('summaryContent', {
computedValue: () => {
const neighborhood = residentSection.dropdown('neighborhood')?.value();
const satisfaction = qualitySection.emojiRating('overallSatisfaction')?.value();
const priorities = prioritySection.suggestionChips('topPriorities')?.value() || [];
const safety = safetySection.starRating('safetySense')?.value();
const informed = engagementSection.ratingScale('informedRating')?.value();
if (!satisfaction) return '';
const neighborhoodLabels: Record<string, string> = {
'downtown': 'Downtown',
'north': 'North District',
'south': 'South District',
'east': 'East District',
'west': 'West District',
'suburban': 'Suburban',
'rural': 'Rural'
};
const satisfactionLabels: Record<string, string> = {
'very-bad': 'Very Dissatisfied',
'bad': 'Dissatisfied',
'neutral': 'Neutral',
'good': 'Satisfied',
'excellent': 'Very Satisfied'
};
let summary = `Community Needs Assessment Summary\n`;
summary += `${'═'.repeat(36)}\n\n`;
if (neighborhood) {
summary += `Area: ${neighborhoodLabels[neighborhood] || neighborhood}\n`;
}
summary += `Life Satisfaction: ${satisfactionLabels[satisfaction] || satisfaction}\n`;
if (safety !== null && safety !== undefined) {
summary += `Safety Rating: ${safety}/5 stars\n`;
}
if (informed !== null && informed !== undefined) {
summary += `Informed Level: ${informed}/5\n`;
}
if (priorities.length > 0) {
summary += `\nTop Priorities: ${priorities.length} selected\n`;
}
return summary;
},
customStyles: () => {
const satisfaction = qualitySection.emojiRating('overallSatisfaction')?.value();
const baseStyles = {
padding: '16px',
borderRadius: '8px',
whiteSpace: 'pre-wrap',
fontFamily: 'monospace',
fontSize: '14px'
};
if (satisfaction === 'excellent' || satisfaction === 'good') {
return { ...baseStyles, backgroundColor: '#d1fae5', borderLeft: '4px solid #10b981' };
} else if (satisfaction === 'bad' || satisfaction === 'very-bad') {
return { ...baseStyles, backgroundColor: '#fee2e2', borderLeft: '4px solid #ef4444' };
} else {
return { ...baseStyles, backgroundColor: '#f3f4f6', borderLeft: '4px solid #3b82f6' };
}
}
});
});
// ============================================
// FORM CONFIGURATION
// ============================================
form.configureSubmitButton({
label: 'Submit Assessment',
isVisible: () => qualitySection.emojiRating('overallSatisfaction')?.value() !== null
});
form.configureCompletionScreen({
type: 'text',
title: 'Thank You for Your Input!',
message: 'Your feedback is invaluable for shaping our community. The results of this assessment will be shared publicly and used to guide planning decisions. Stay engaged!'
});
}
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a community needs assessment?
A community needs assessment is a systematic process to identify and analyze the gaps between current conditions and desired outcomes in a community. It helps local governments prioritize services, allocate resources, and plan improvements based on resident input.
How often should we conduct this assessment?
Most municipalities conduct comprehensive needs assessments every 2-3 years, with shorter pulse surveys annually. Time assessments to align with budget cycles and strategic planning periods for maximum impact.
Can we customize the service categories?
Yes. All service categories, priority areas, and rating criteria are fully customizable. Add, remove, or modify sections to match your specific municipal services and planning priorities.
How do we ensure diverse community participation?
Offer the survey through multiple channels: online, at community centers, during public meetings, and in multiple languages if needed. The form is mobile-friendly and accessible. Consider partnering with community organizations to reach underrepresented groups.
How should we analyze the results?
Look for patterns in service satisfaction, identify top-priority needs, compare responses across neighborhoods or demographics, and track changes over time. The matrix format makes quantitative analysis straightforward.
Is this suitable for small towns?
Yes. The template works for communities of any size. Smaller municipalities may simplify some sections, while larger cities might add neighborhood-specific questions. Scale the assessment to fit your community.