Several years ago in Nashville we started with four people who really wanted to see a cohousing community built. Our small group grew to almost thirty or so with people coming along interested in a home with some of those who participated in the beginning just wanting to support ‘the cause’. Our first workshop in… Read More
Kids of Cohousing – A Fun Opportunity to Shine!
We are gathering a collection of videos (and other materials) about growing up in cohousing that we are hoping to debut at the National Cohousing Conference in Durham, NC in May. Do you know young, teen, or grown children in your community who enjoy music, drama, poetry and/or video production. Do you have some awesome… Read More
Elderberry: Senior Cohousing Among Gardens, Farm Animals and Nature
As the number of senior cohousing communities continues to grow, seniors have more choice in the type and location of a community that best fits their lifestyle. Elderberry, a cohousing community near Durham, North Carolina, is unique in that it is designed for seniors who want to live in a rural community as they grow… Read More
Check out this article from the Atlantic “City Lab”http://www.citylab.com/housing/2015/01/can-boomers-make-cohousing-mainst… Katie McCamant is quoted: “McCamant predicts the number [of cohousing communities] will double within 10 years.” One of my quotes: “Baby boomers are demanding a better way to live. We want to be sustainable; we want community, happiness.” This upbeat profile is dampened with this perspective:… Read More
Cohousing Attention from Social Science Academics in NY City
Patrick Han, Coho/US Board member, was approached by The Henry George School of Social Science in New York City to lead a seminar on cohousing Jan 28th. Patrick muses, “although there are no cohousing communities in NY City yet, the ‘word’ is being brought to the heathens.” More on the session “Building Vibrant Communities –… Read More
Volunteering for the National Cohousing Conference
Volunteering with the 2015 National Cohousing Conference is a great way to get involved and contribute your talents – and our success is dependent on your voluntary contributions. The following leadership positions will convey complimentary registration if needed (we are unable to provide transportation and lodging). Numerous assistant roles are available, and may convey complimentary… Read More
A few weeks ago the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 was signed into law retroactively extending numerous tax incentives for green building and energy efficiency projects. An updated PDF summary of the incentives is attached.
Feminism in Community
I was recently in a discussion at home where about eight of us were shining our collective light on the topic of feminism. While there was ready agreement that Dancing Rabbit aspired to be a feminist community, it wasn’t so easy defining what that meant, and even some resistance to making the attempt. Actually some… Read More
Personally I object to the use of the word “block” as synonymous with “objection” and this entry explains some of the reasons why. What is a block? This is not a facetious question. If this is the word people want to use, what does it mean? From the accounts on the Cohousing-L email discussion list… Read More
Similar to a Newborn: The First Five Months in Cohousing
We are completing five months in our digs and five months into the adventure of being a cohousing community. Several people in the community have pointed out that adventure requires missed turns, missed trains, etc. Something that goes smoothly is a vacation; all else is an adventure. I like to think of our first… Read More
One of the ways the principles and methods used by sociocracy speed up decision-making is going directly to objections instead of discussing the proposal. The proposal should state the perceived advantages or reasons why a decision is needed. The presenters will also have presented the issues and options they considered. After clarifying questions, there is… Read More
Healing Dashed Dreams: Cohousing PTSD
Some call me an “experienced cohouser,” but I am also a “wounded cohouser.” It’s like having cohousing PTSD. I am now a part of a newly forming cohousing group http://newamericanvillages.com/ and with every hint of delay, I get spooked. When potential members express their concerns, I think “Oh, yeah, be worried—be very worried.” I hesitate… Read More
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