Cohousing Directory - Community View

Formed:
1992
Established:
1994
Berkeley Cohousing
Berkeley
,
California
,
United States
(West Berkeley)
Contact:
Berkeley Cohousing
Berkeley, California 94702 United States
Address Status:
Good as of 11/3/2007
berkeleycoho-info [at] ebcoho [dot] org

Berkeley's first and only cohousing community.

4 Blocks from North Berkeley BART station

On busline to San Francisco, 2 blocks from bus to downtown Oakland, etc

Walking distance to Farmer's Market, Andronico's, library, YMCA, stores, parks, you name it!

Beautiful park-like setting.

Former/Other Names:
Sacramento Street, East Bay Cohousing
Community Affiliations:
Network Affiliations:
Coho/US
Last Updated:
11/3/2007
Visitors Accepted
(by prearrangement and regularly scheduled tours only)
Visitor Process:
Contact us well in advance to make arrangements; guestroom available only to people hosted by a member.
Cohousing Details
Cohousing Status:
Completed
Year Completed:
1997
(group lived onsite during construction)
Area:
0.8 acres (0.3 hectares)
("like a summer camp" is the most common comment)
Number of Units:
15
Square Feet in Common House:
2000
(converted 1900-ish farmhouse; units above, adjacent)
Architect:
The Cohousing Co. and earlier individual-structure designers
Developer:
self-developed
Commercial Lender:
Evergreen Bank
Population
Adult Members:
24 (plus some regular visitors, extended family)
Child Members:
7 (one more on the way; 2 part-time kids as wll)
Non-Member Residents:
3 (occasional housemate renters choose not to participate)
Gender Ratio:
35% M 65% F
Open to new adults:
No (purchase/rental opportunities rare; low turnover)
Open to new children:
No (purchase/rental opportunities rare; low turnover)
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus (backup voting available in bylaws but almost never necessary)
Identified Leader:
No
Leadership Core Group:
Yes (Agenda Committee = Meeting planners plus rotating facilitator)
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
Labor Contribution:
Expected (Committee work, workdays, plus cooking/cleaning in meal rotation)
Join Fee:
Yes (purchase of a unit or rental in community)
Regular Fees:
Yes (200-300/mo. in HOA dues per unit)
Land and Buildings
Community:
Urban (feels spread-out and less urban than it is)
Land Owners:
The community (condominium ownership structure; owners own units dfrom wallpaper in)
No. of Residences:
15 (15 units in 10 buildings)
Food, Etc.
% Food Grown:
1-5% (community garden supplements common meals)
Shared Meals:
2-5 times/week (3x/week. Some participate less.)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual (We try to honor needs of all in shopping/cooking)
Dietary Practice:
Omnivorous
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally (some bring wine to meals)
Tobacco Use:
Seldom used (no smoking in public areas on the property)
Social Factors
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Friendly:
Yes
Shared Spiritual Path:
No
Specific Path(s):
Educational Style(s):
Private school off the property
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Current Editor(s): cohousing, raines, ficraines
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