Skip to content

LIVING IN COMMUNITY

COMMON ATTRIBUTES OF COHOUSING

Cohousing residents actively participate in the design and operation of their community. Neighbors know each other, celebrate together, share in activities of their choosing, watch out for each other and generally enjoy many opportunities for social interaction. Typically, cohousing communities are environmentally aware and committed to sustainability. The architectural design facilitates social interaction while also providing private, individual spaces. Common indoor and outdoor spaces become extensions of private homes.
Six defining characteristics of cohousing are:
• Participatory governance, with non-hierarchical structure and decision-making
• Extensive shared common facilities
• Design to both encourage neighborly interaction and provide privacy
• Management by the residents (their own homeowners association), not a professional management company
• No shared community economy; finances are not pooled
• The cost of a cohousing home is typically at or near market rate

COHOUSING RESOURCES

Cohousing Associations

-The Cohousing Association of the United States maintains a directory of cohousing communities and provides information, workshops, and services to those involved in cohousing.

 -The Fellowship for Intentional Community also maintains a directory that includes many cohousing communities. It also offers workshops. 

Books:

–Cooperative Culture Handbook by Yana Ludwig & Karen Gimnig
–The Cohousing Handbook by Chris and Kelly Scotthanson
–The Senior Cohousing Handbook by Charles Durrett
–Aging in Community by Janice M Blanchard
–Creating a Life Together by Diana Leafe Christian