What is cohousing?
Co-operative housing involves a legal entity, which owns real estate, consisting of one or more residential buildings; it is one type of housing tenure.
But Cohousing has several other characteristics:
But Cohousing has several other characteristics:
- It is a type of intentional, collaborative housing in which residents actively participate in the design and operation of their neighborhoods.
- Cohousing provides the privacy we are accustomed to within the community we seek.
- Cohousing residents consciously commit to living as a community. The neighborhood’s physical design encourages both individual space and social contact. Private homes contain all the features of conventional homes, but residents also have access to extensive common facilities such as open space, a playground, and a common house etc.
Is an intentional community the same as cohousing?
Cohousing is one particular form of intentional community. There are many others. Cohousing has particular characteristics such as separate dwellings (not a shared household like some intentional communities) and a common house. What most intentional communities share is a desire for cooperative culture and sustainable living. See http://www.ic.org
About Cohousing Generally
In what way is cohousing more economical than living outside a community?
Reduced living expenses result from living collaboratively. For example, optional community meals several times a week can save money, as can other practices such as energy-efficient design and building, or commonly owned equipment such as one lawnmower per community. Driving expenses tend to be lower because many social activities occur in the community and carpooling is common. Residents also often make group purchases of food and home maintenance items, and handle maintenance of buildings and land themselves instead of paying for outside labour.
Additionally, several families may share the costs for kids’ play equipment and childcare. Residents typically pay service charges in cohousing, but community work-sharing can offset many costs.
None of these policies have been set yet by Cohousingni, although there is a strong feeling that we would like to share as many facilities as possible, while maintaining a comfortable level of privacy.
Additionally, several families may share the costs for kids’ play equipment and childcare. Residents typically pay service charges in cohousing, but community work-sharing can offset many costs.
None of these policies have been set yet by Cohousingni, although there is a strong feeling that we would like to share as many facilities as possible, while maintaining a comfortable level of privacy.
What are common concerns for people considering cohousing?
What are common concerns for people considering cohousing?
People new to the idea of cohousing sometimes express concerns about…
Consent decision-making is similar to consensus but has a lower threshold for agreement, so decisions are easier to reach. It is saying 'This is good enough for now and I know it can be changed if it isn't working' rather than 'This isn't quite what I wanted so I won't accept it'. For streamlined decision-making, consent is used in policy decisions (e.g. the community's general expectations of the maintenance team) but more traditional methods can be used in operational decisions (e.g. allowing someone in the maintenance team to decide where to buy materials - which should meet the expectation of being from a sustainable source, and within budget).
A conflict resolution procedure involving a mediator or third party may be used as a fall back if needed.
People new to the idea of cohousing sometimes express concerns about…
- Having to give up autonomy
- The potential slowness and conflict in decision-making
Consent decision-making is similar to consensus but has a lower threshold for agreement, so decisions are easier to reach. It is saying 'This is good enough for now and I know it can be changed if it isn't working' rather than 'This isn't quite what I wanted so I won't accept it'. For streamlined decision-making, consent is used in policy decisions (e.g. the community's general expectations of the maintenance team) but more traditional methods can be used in operational decisions (e.g. allowing someone in the maintenance team to decide where to buy materials - which should meet the expectation of being from a sustainable source, and within budget).
A conflict resolution procedure involving a mediator or third party may be used as a fall back if needed.
- Attending too many meetings and being expected to do things and join in when they don’t want to
- There being too much or too little ideology
- Not being able to get along with people
- How it affects leaving money to children
What are the benefits of cohousing?
Cohousing residents in Denmark, Sweden, the USA, and the UK report the same advantages:
- a sense of community and shared values, a sense of belonging
- keeping one’s privacy while having an active and locally based social life,
- living more economically and sustainably – sharing skills, tools, heating systems, all sorts
- neighbours that become friends and the mutual support that comes naturally with that (anything from shared childcare, to a shoulder to cry on, to a pint of milk, to someone noticing if you have not been seen for a day or two)
- support in older age,
- feeling useful/making a contribution
Who lives in Cohousing? It seems everyone would have to get along really well, but does that work in practice
Cohousing attracts a wide range of household types and people from all walks of life. It isn’t essential for everyone in a cohousing community to like every neighbour. In fact, a variety of personalities will add interest to community life. Cohousing residents need only share the goal of making their lives more enjoyable by cooperating with their neighbours. Our method of governance and conflict resolution procedures will be there to help us with any disagreements or difficulties.
How “green” is cohousing
Sustainable living is an important part of cohousing, and we want to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible. Ideally people who work outside of the community will be able to commute by bicycle or car sharing. As a group we might for example decide to limit car ownership to one per household. One big benefit of living in a cohousing neighbourhood is that we can expect many of our household bills to be lower than in an entirely independent household.
In developing our new homes we are aiming to build in as ‘green’ a way as possible using design and materials that make a minimal impact on the environment. This could mean, for example, not having a washing machine in your own kitchen but using the shared laundry. We might have a central heat source supplying all the homes with heat and hot water, and some electricity from PV panels. We might aim to grow as much of our own fruit and vegetables as possible. All of these policies and aims are yet to be decided and any members who join the organisation before these decisions have been made will take an equal part in the policy making process. Sociocracy includes regular opportunities to reassess and rewrite policies.
In developing our new homes we are aiming to build in as ‘green’ a way as possible using design and materials that make a minimal impact on the environment. This could mean, for example, not having a washing machine in your own kitchen but using the shared laundry. We might have a central heat source supplying all the homes with heat and hot water, and some electricity from PV panels. We might aim to grow as much of our own fruit and vegetables as possible. All of these policies and aims are yet to be decided and any members who join the organisation before these decisions have been made will take an equal part in the policy making process. Sociocracy includes regular opportunities to reassess and rewrite policies.
about our project
Why are you/we doing this?
We want to be part of a community (not isolated from our neighbours) with good and friendly relations with each other. We want to live in high quality, environmentally-friendly places, that we can adapt to meet our future needs. We want to be able to shape and influence our environment. We want the benefits of shared community space, for social, friendly and fun activities. We want space to live, relax and enjoy nature, and for us and our children to be able to live freely and safely.
What will it be like living in a Cohousingni project?
In many ways living in cohousing is like living in a traditional neighbourhood or small village. Residents will all know one another, socialise together and support each other. To gain these benefits residents take on greater obligations than with a normal tenancy agreement or lease, to share the running and maintenance of the community.
What facilities will there be?
So far we have discussed our desire to include the following in our community:
Outdoors: The rural community might have plenty of outdoor, green, shared space and might even have its own woodland. There might be outside play areas, garden space/vegetable gardens, BBQ/outdoor pizza ovens and outdoor seating. In an urban project, outdoor space might be more limited, but could still include some of these elements.
Shared Facilities: Facilities might include a bicycle storage area, crèche/childcare rota, tool/equipment store, workshops and garages, storage space, play/sports equipment, an on-site convenience shop and community vehicles/car and bike pooling.
The Common House: The Common House might include a kitchen, dining room, sitting room, toilets, a large hall space, work/office/meeting spaces, guest rooms, a laundry room and indoor play areas.
Outdoors: The rural community might have plenty of outdoor, green, shared space and might even have its own woodland. There might be outside play areas, garden space/vegetable gardens, BBQ/outdoor pizza ovens and outdoor seating. In an urban project, outdoor space might be more limited, but could still include some of these elements.
Shared Facilities: Facilities might include a bicycle storage area, crèche/childcare rota, tool/equipment store, workshops and garages, storage space, play/sports equipment, an on-site convenience shop and community vehicles/car and bike pooling.
The Common House: The Common House might include a kitchen, dining room, sitting room, toilets, a large hall space, work/office/meeting spaces, guest rooms, a laundry room and indoor play areas.
How long will it take for the project to be complete?
We have no clear idea : ) though it is likely to be a minimum of three years, and probably longer.
The time it takes to realise a cohousing community varies greatly from project to project. It might depend on the regularity of meetings, the time and financial investments of members, the ease with which land can be found and the type of build project being undertaken. We want to move as fast as possible, while making sure our group dynamic is stable and healthy.
The time it takes to realise a cohousing community varies greatly from project to project. It might depend on the regularity of meetings, the time and financial investments of members, the ease with which land can be found and the type of build project being undertaken. We want to move as fast as possible, while making sure our group dynamic is stable and healthy.
I don’t have a lot of capital. How much will it cost?
It’s true that most cohousing requires an outlay of capital to get the scheme underway. Costs, which include hiring consultants & architects, and paying for materials & construction, can make cohousing unavailable to those on lower incomes who nevertheless resonate philosophically with this social model.
However, given the increasing demand for affordable and rentable properties and a more diverse range of residents, the UK Cohousing Network is working with housing associations, other housing professionals and government agencies to ease the restrictions around planning and financing so that cohousing can become more accessible. In the Northern Ireland context, we don’t have access to the same government agencies as in the UK, and have to work very much from a grassroots position. However, we are in discussions about potential partnerships with housing associations who share our values and are interested in supporting our cohousing initiative.
We would very much like to be able to offer affordable mixed tenure housing and to recognise and reward time and skills invested as well as money and will do everything in our power to enable that.
However, given the increasing demand for affordable and rentable properties and a more diverse range of residents, the UK Cohousing Network is working with housing associations, other housing professionals and government agencies to ease the restrictions around planning and financing so that cohousing can become more accessible. In the Northern Ireland context, we don’t have access to the same government agencies as in the UK, and have to work very much from a grassroots position. However, we are in discussions about potential partnerships with housing associations who share our values and are interested in supporting our cohousing initiative.
We would very much like to be able to offer affordable mixed tenure housing and to recognise and reward time and skills invested as well as money and will do everything in our power to enable that.
Will my friends and family be able to come and visit/stay?
Of course! If you have room they can stay with you in your own home, or you might want to book a guest room in the common house.
We use a consent decision‐making process called Sociocracy. This means we seek to find a solution that takes account of everyone’s views and objections, because they can often improve the final outcome. Consent decision making is a creative and dynamic way of reaching agreement between all members of a group. That means that if you have a different view you will be listened to and accommodated as much as possible. For more information on Sociocracy, visit http://www.sociocracyforall.org/
How will our agreed rules be enforced?
We would like to operate a lot on trust. However, if there is consensus within the community that someone is persistently not complying with agreements there will be a process to follow. The process might include sanctions, conflict resolution and ultimately a resident may be asked to leave. These processes have not been agreed yet and any members who join the organisation before these decisions have been made will take an equal part in the policy making process. Sociocracy includes regular opportunities to reassess and rewrite policies.
Can I bring my pet?
The community will develop a pets policy, for the benefit of pets and residents. This might limit the overall number of pets kept on the site or the number of pets per household. This policy has not been agreed yet and any members who join the organisation before the decisions have been made will take an equal part in the policy making process. Sociocracy includes regular opportunities to reassess and rewrite policies.
What happens if I fall out with someone?
In choosing to live in a Cohousingni project, you commit to making every effort to resolve disputes and differences as quickly as possible. Sometimes it may be necessary to ask someone else living in the community to act as a mediator. In serious cases we may appoint an external mediator.
What is Sociocracy?
Sociocracy is a way of organising that is inclusive and learns as it goes.
It is based on interlinked activity circles (teams) that have some autonomy in deciding how things are done. They base their decisions on policies (values and aims) that the community shares. Policy decisions are made by consent within circles, but more straightforward (operational) decisions can be made in traditional ways (see How are decisions made).
Broader policies are made by upper circles. With double-linking (a circle includes at least one member from the circle above and one from the circle below) consent to policies flows though the organisation. Meetings should be well prepared and well facilitated so that everyone has a chance to share concerns and modify proposals.
Part of a decision should be a means of measuring its success, and a period after which it will be reviewed. This makes it easier to give consent, knowing the decision will be tested and can be changed if it doesn't work well.
It is based on interlinked activity circles (teams) that have some autonomy in deciding how things are done. They base their decisions on policies (values and aims) that the community shares. Policy decisions are made by consent within circles, but more straightforward (operational) decisions can be made in traditional ways (see How are decisions made).
Broader policies are made by upper circles. With double-linking (a circle includes at least one member from the circle above and one from the circle below) consent to policies flows though the organisation. Meetings should be well prepared and well facilitated so that everyone has a chance to share concerns and modify proposals.
Part of a decision should be a means of measuring its success, and a period after which it will be reviewed. This makes it easier to give consent, knowing the decision will be tested and can be changed if it doesn't work well.