Troy Gardens Cohousing Community

Description:

The Troy Gardens Cohousing Community (TGCC) was built in 2006. TGCC consists of 30 energy efficient green-built homes on five acres in Madison, WI. Twenty of the clustered units are reserved for low-moderate income buyers, and ten units are market rate with no income restrictions. The community was created using universal design concepts. Walking paths and the first floor of all homes are accessible for people with diverse abilities. There are both two and three bedroom units, all with full basements.

TGCC is multi-generational with ages ranging from newborn to 80 years old. Between our five acres and the adjoining 26 acres that is Troy Gardens, children have lots of space to move and play and they take full advantage of it year-round.

TGCC is part of Troy Gardens, an award-winning 31-acre urban land use project. Along with the five-acre cohousing community, Troy Gardens includes community gardens, a working organic farm, restored prairie, edible woodland and other natural areas. The entire property (Troy Gardens and TGCC) is owned by the Madison Area Community Land Trust (MACLT) which began working on Troy Gardens in 1995 along with a wonderful group of collaborators, and after 12 years completed the housing component in 2007. MACLT ensures homes remain affordable in perpetuity and it leases the land to homeowners with a ground lease.

Because of its proximity to Troy community gardens, many residents are avid vegetable gardeners. In summer, vegetables also have high priority in the front and rear gardens of individual homes and some common areas.

The community’s vision is as follows:
“Troy Gardens is a welcoming and affordable cohousing community where we cultivate sustainability, trust, and meaningful connections with one another and the land through celebration, cooperation, and open communication. We are working toward a common house and common areas that facilitate this vision.”

When a home at Troy is for sale, it is added to the list of Madison Area Community Land Trust’s (MACLT) homes up for sale. Then the Executive Director notifies already pre-qualified interested buyers that a TGCC home is up for sale. Applicants are screened to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. Then The TGCA Board works in concert with MACLT to assist in the home sale process and introduce the buyer (s) to the community.

To learn more about the history of Troy Gardens Cohousing Community please visit the article “Troy Gardens, The Accidental EcoVillage” by Greg Rosenberg linked to this profile.