What is Cohousing?

Cohousing communities are small-scale neighborhoods that provide a balance between personal privacy and living amidst people who know and care about each other.

Individual dwelling units enjoy convenient access to shared space including a common house with facilities such as a gourmet kitchen, dining room, a children's play room, laundry facilities, guest rooms, library and sitting areas, and workshops. Each home is entirely self-sufficient, complete with a kitchen, but residents often prepare common meals together in the kitchen of the common house. These meals are very appealing to those with busy lives and most residents choose to participate.

Cohousing developments are designed, planned, and managed with a high degree of resident participation. Most major decisions are arrived at through a consensus decision-making process. These developments are based on democratic principles that espouse no ideology other than the desire for more practical and social home environments. Communities often include a diverse mix of people, including singles, couples, families with children, and elders. Most communities strive for a multi-generational, pedestrian-oriented neighborhood that encourages frequent interaction with neighbors.

There are 80 completed cohousing neighborhoods in North America. An estimated 60 cohousing groups are in various stages of the development process. These stages range from newly formed groups, whose members are just being introduced to the concept of cohousing, to those that are well into the planning and construction process.

The cohousing concept was created in Denmark over 25 years ago with over 125 such communities in that country alone. As the movement has developed in the United States, some decidedly American characteristics have emerged in order to meet the needs of the culture.

Communication between cohousing communities is facilitated by individual list-servers and through The Cohousing Network, a non-profit organization. If you would like to learn more about cohousing, click on the links below for references to other communities and additional sources.

The Cohousing Network

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