Cohousing in the United States

In our last article we looked at the various types of homes typically available in the United States. Cohousing is a concept that utilizes the features of condominiums, townhouses or single-family dwellings, but with a focus on developing a community. Cohousing goes beyond the homeowners association by attempting to create a cooperative neighborhood community.

Features of cohousing include smaller residences in exchange for large shared areas, such as a community house or lodge, playgrounds and open spaces. Homes often face towards each other or a common point. Residents share in maintaining the community. Weekly meals are shared with all the residents at the community house.

Started in Denmark, the concept was encouraged here by architects Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett in the early 1980s.Communities average from twenty to forty units. The Cohousing Association of the United States (www.cohousing.org) provides six defining characteristics of cohousing.

Participation—future residents are involved in the community planning process. While developers may design properties based on typical cohousing designs, if members of the community are not involved from very near the beginning, it is not really a cohousing project.

Neighborhood—As mentioned, the facing of buildings encourages the sense of community, not unlike an old European village. Auto parking is on the periphery to encourage a pedestrian environment welcoming to children.

Sharing—Common facilities are made available to all. While everyone has their own kitchen and personal facilities, a large kitchen and dining area, library, workshop, exercise facilities, and potentially even guest housing is normally available in a central common house. A playground and open space is the norm.

Residential Management—Shared meals present the opportunity to discuss the needs of the development. Members of the community generally care for maintenance.

Consensus—decisions are made by the group, not by elected leaders. While some members of the community usually take the lead for certain projects that represent personal specialties, no one has authority over other community members. A voting procedure is typically available when needed, but most cohousing communities seldom resort to such means of making decisions.

Individual Economy—While cohousing does represent the opportunity to share property in common, it is not an example of communal living. “The community is not a source of income for its members,” states the Cohousing Association. Jobs undertaken for the community are generally considered part of ones contribution to the group. Everyone is expected to do their fair share as far as maintenance, and dues are comparable to those expected of condominium owners. Your home is your own and can be sold or rented, usually within certain guidelines.

While turnover is cohousing developments is low, units still become available nationwide. Many communities are also being developed in various states, either from the ground up or retrofitted from existing properties. If you are looking for a village lifestyle where you know your neighbor, consider the opportunities found in cohousing.