diff --git a/adit_radis_shared/common/middlewares.py b/adit_radis_shared/common/middlewares.py
index 771f873..9ab99bb 100644
--- a/adit_radis_shared/common/middlewares.py
+++ b/adit_radis_shared/common/middlewares.py
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ def __call__(self, request: HtmxHttpRequest):
             return self.get_response(request)
 
         project_settings = ProjectSettings.get()
-        assert project_settings
         if project_settings and project_settings.maintenance and not request.user.is_staff:
             if request.path.startswith("/api/"):
                 raise ServiceUnavailable
diff --git a/adit_radis_shared/common/models.py b/adit_radis_shared/common/models.py
index ed7671a..f2cf5ba 100644
--- a/adit_radis_shared/common/models.py
+++ b/adit_radis_shared/common/models.py
@@ -13,8 +13,12 @@ def __str__(self) -> str:
         return f"{self.__class__.__name__} [ID {self.id}]"
 
     @classmethod
-    def get(cls):
-        return cls.objects.first()
+    def get(cls) -> "ProjectSettings":
+        project_settings = cls.objects.first()
+        # We made sure during startup that there is always a ProjectSettings
+        # (see common/apps.py)
+        assert project_settings
+        return project_settings
 
 
 class AppSettings(models.Model):
@@ -25,5 +29,9 @@ class Meta:
         abstract = True
 
     @classmethod
-    def get(cls):
-        return cls.objects.first()
+    def get(cls) -> "AppSettings":
+        app_settings = cls.objects.first()
+        # We made sure during startup that there is always a AppSettings
+        # (see apps.py of the specific app)
+        assert app_settings
+        return app_settings
diff --git a/adit_radis_shared/common/views.py b/adit_radis_shared/common/views.py
index f577b70..0735af2 100644
--- a/adit_radis_shared/common/views.py
+++ b/adit_radis_shared/common/views.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class BaseHomeView(TemplateView):
     def get_context_data(self, **kwargs) -> dict[str, Any]:
         context = super().get_context_data(**kwargs)
         project_settings = ProjectSettings.get()
-        context["announcement"] = project_settings.announcement if project_settings else ""
+        context["announcement"] = project_settings.announcement
         return context
 
 
diff --git a/example_project/example_project/example_app/urls.py b/example_project/example_project/example_app/urls.py
index 4560044..705a6b8 100644
--- a/example_project/example_project/example_app/urls.py
+++ b/example_project/example_project/example_app/urls.py
@@ -3,14 +3,14 @@
 from .views import (
     AsyncExampleClassView,
     ExampleListView,
+    HomeView,
     admin_section,
     example_messages,
     example_toasts,
-    home,
 )
 
 urlpatterns = [
-    path("", home, name="home"),
+    path("", HomeView.as_view(), name="home"),
     path("admin-section/", admin_section, name="admin_section"),
     path(
         "examples/",
diff --git a/example_project/example_project/example_app/views.py b/example_project/example_project/example_app/views.py
index 92251d4..6a8bec8 100644
--- a/example_project/example_project/example_app/views.py
+++ b/example_project/example_project/example_app/views.py
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@
 from django.views.generic import TemplateView
 
 from adit_radis_shared.accounts.models import User
+from adit_radis_shared.common.views import BaseHomeView
 
 
-def home(request: HttpRequest) -> HttpResponse:
-    return render(request, "example_app/home.html", {})
+class HomeView(BaseHomeView):
+    template_name = "example_app/home.html"
 
 
 @login_required