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Post by Lester on Mar 5, 2005 21:59:10 GMT -8
I have an idea that I would like to throw out there. When coming up with ideas to redevelop the delapidated apartment properties, I would like to see CoHousing considered. In case you do not know, CoHousing can be a group of single family homes, townhomes, apartment, or possibly a mix of different types of properties. The difference is that there is normally a community building with a large kitchen, where frequent events take place resulting in building a close knit community. I know that it sounds a little like Mtn. Cove but there is a little more to the puzzle than that. The events in a CoHousing development frequently happens on a daily or weekly basis. There are several of these places around the US, and it keeps growing every year. One new one that is being built is in Santa Rosa: www.yulupacoho.com/vision.html. Here are a few more links: www.cohousing.org/cmty/groups-us.html directory.ic.org/records/?action=view&page=view&record_id=2976ena.ecovillage.org/English/ecovillages/index.htmlI think that when people live in close knit communities, their quality of daily life can be better (of course, this is subjective). It also makes it easier to keep a community looking nice when the community works together to do so and the members know each other well enough to feel comfortable speaking out when there is a problem.
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Post by Raines on Mar 6, 2005 6:26:04 GMT -8
Great idea, Lester! (of course, I'm a little biased ) Seriously, in my experience living in two cohousing communities, and visiting fifty across the country, it does provide a higher quality of life per dollar than conventional housing/condo development. Every unit is still self-sufficient, with its own kitchen and private space, but having the large common space available and the common house with common meals and a physical layout that makes it easy to watch out for one another, and a social structure (consensus decision-making) that helps build trust and provides a means for working things out without resorting to guns or lawsuits means we have a supportive environment. And by being structured like a condo legally, we can use the standard bank financing mechanisms and get approvals easily compared to other forms of intentional communities. Much as I'd love to see 'thousands' of communities (demand is high), there are only 78 built cohousing communities in the U.S. and another 100-some in the pipeline. Real-estate development is not quick and easy, finding sites is not quick and easy, recruiting and getting financing takes time, and building the shared skills to work together. I know we regularly get queries from folks in your area who are seeking community, but we've had nowhere to send 'em. If you get a core group organized we'd be happy to include it on the communities list and cover it in Cohousing Magazine and provide technical support. Good Luck! Raines Cohen<br /> Cohousing Association of the United States ( Coho/US)
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