WHAT IS COHOUSING?
Cohousing communities are created and run by their residents. Each household has a self-contained home and the community shares some resources and activities. The site, social activities and governance are all designed to balance privacy with beneficial social interaction. The focus is on community, a neighbourhood where people want to band together, take care of one another and collaborate for the good of all.
It is a form of intentional community that has been developing, particularly in Denmark and other European countries, since the 1970s. There are a number of videos about these on YouTube. It has been taken up enthusiastically in the USA and more recently in the UK, where there are a few long-established cohousing projects, several brand new ones and many now in the pipeline! In Ireland, currently there is one cohousing scheme in Ballymun, and another at a forming stage in Cloughjordan, as well as our cohousing project in the north of Ireland.
Below are some 2min video's about cohousing in England that offer some insight:
LILAC: (Low Impact Living, Affordable, Community) cohousing project and the Bridport and Gillingham projects...
Cohousing communities are created and run by their residents. Each household has a self-contained home and the community shares some resources and activities. The site, social activities and governance are all designed to balance privacy with beneficial social interaction. The focus is on community, a neighbourhood where people want to band together, take care of one another and collaborate for the good of all.
It is a form of intentional community that has been developing, particularly in Denmark and other European countries, since the 1970s. There are a number of videos about these on YouTube. It has been taken up enthusiastically in the USA and more recently in the UK, where there are a few long-established cohousing projects, several brand new ones and many now in the pipeline! In Ireland, currently there is one cohousing scheme in Ballymun, and another at a forming stage in Cloughjordan, as well as our cohousing project in the north of Ireland.
Below are some 2min video's about cohousing in England that offer some insight:
LILAC: (Low Impact Living, Affordable, Community) cohousing project and the Bridport and Gillingham projects...
COMMON HOUSE
Most cohousing communities have a common house - a building used for shared resources and activities. Often this includes a kitchen and dining room where residents eat together regularly - once or twice a week or more - and take turns to cook. It may also include guest rooms, a laundry, play room, workshop - whatever the community decides it wants and can afford. 'Guest rooms in the common house may allow people to choose a house with fewer bedrooms, saving them money. Office space or meeting rooms may be offered as a resource for the neighbourhood.
SHARING RESOURCES
While everyone has their own private home and front door, some resources may be shared to save money, reduce environmental impact or to be more sociable. There could be a community heating scheme, solar panels, a car and bike pool, an allotment, a tool store. There could be work groups for maintenance etc, lift sharing, and activity groups, such as a film club or exercise classes
SOCIAL SPACES
Where possible sites are designed to encourage social interaction. The common house may be in sight of everyone’s house so you can see what is going on. Pathways cross so people are more likely to meet. A children’s recreation space would likely be central and cars kept to the outside edge for safety and to reduce pollution.
Most cohousing communities have a common house - a building used for shared resources and activities. Often this includes a kitchen and dining room where residents eat together regularly - once or twice a week or more - and take turns to cook. It may also include guest rooms, a laundry, play room, workshop - whatever the community decides it wants and can afford. 'Guest rooms in the common house may allow people to choose a house with fewer bedrooms, saving them money. Office space or meeting rooms may be offered as a resource for the neighbourhood.
SHARING RESOURCES
While everyone has their own private home and front door, some resources may be shared to save money, reduce environmental impact or to be more sociable. There could be a community heating scheme, solar panels, a car and bike pool, an allotment, a tool store. There could be work groups for maintenance etc, lift sharing, and activity groups, such as a film club or exercise classes
SOCIAL SPACES
Where possible sites are designed to encourage social interaction. The common house may be in sight of everyone’s house so you can see what is going on. Pathways cross so people are more likely to meet. A children’s recreation space would likely be central and cars kept to the outside edge for safety and to reduce pollution.
HOUSING
There is often a mix of housing - flats, small houses and family houses - to reflect local need and the choices of the residents. In an urban area, where space is restricted, they may have the vertical construction of an apartment block. They are often built to as high an eco-standard as the community can afford, to reduce energy use and environmental impact. Where possible dwellings should be adaptable to suit people at all stages of life (and taste).
AFFORDABILITY
Smaller homes, energy efficiency and possibly an element of self-build may make houses cheaper to build and run. Some aspects - the common house or high eco standards for example - can make the initial investment higher. It would require some kind of subsidy, or partnership with a housing association, to provide affordable housing as part of the community.
GOVERNANCE
Projects are run collaboratively by residents and everyone has a role and is able to influence decisions. Various legal and governance structures are possible. Decision-making and conflict-resolution processes need to be agreed from the start.