Regional Groups

The Cohousing Association of the United States (Coho/US) does not have regional chapters, but we encourage and support regional collaborations among existing cohousing communities and cohousing groups in any stage of development.

Coho/US has periodically initiated regional gatherings of communities and groups in various areas to help stimulate local interest. In 2007, we helped this happen in Boston, MA - drawing people from all over New England and in Northern California. Our hope is that this will yield more future collaboration and more regional programming. In May, 2008, Coho/US helped plan a similar gathering in the Denver, CO area. It participated as a co-sponsor in a July, 2008 Northwest Intentional Communities Association (see below) gathering in Portland, OR and plans one for Seattle, WA in November, 2008 - hoping to help support the 2009 National Cohousing Conference. Program content for different regional gatherings varies, depending on the needs and interests of those involved locally.

Regional resources

Mid-Atlantic Cohousing
An active regional group is Mid-Atlantic Cohousing (MAC), where 11 communities collaborate on projects that address their common needs for marketing, education, technical assistance and other support. MAC provides a good model of how cohousing communities can pool their resources at the regional level. The group conducts, for example, a series of group process and conflict resolution training sessions and other daylong workshops. The group also schedules two bus tours a year to introduce new folks to a variety of cohousing communities. MAC members also plan to trade facilitators, participate in community workdays, and schedule group camping trips and other fun events.

Rocky Mountain Cohousing Council
The Rocky Mountain Cohousing Council (CO) meets quarterly and sets the agenda based on the interests of the group. Contact annie [at] whdc [dot] com (Annie Russell), Wonderland Hill Development Company, 303-449-3232 ext 215.

East Bay Cohousing
This umbrella group is working to form and support groups of households and individuals who are working to create residential cohousing communities (retrofit and new-build) in the urban East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Northern California Regional Group
Members from six different communities attended an inaugural gathering in June 2005 and another attended by five completed communities and at least six other groups in various stages of formation or development in October of 2007.

Northwest Intentional Communities Association (NICA)
Since 1992, NICA has helped people interested in cohousing and other intentional communities across the Pacific Northwest. It has always had a strong cohousing presence in its leadership and participation. It presents regular Winter and Summer Gatherings in various locations in Washington and Oregon, as well as other events. The NICA Website has a Northwest Directory and free ads for NW communities that seek members.

Twin Cities Cohousing Network
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN