We envision three adjacent four-plexes with 1-2 BR each: affordable, small, passive solar, ADA compliant and multi-generational. There would be enough solar energy generated to power each home (zero net energy). The exact design and number of buildings at the property would be determined in part by the amount of space required for the solar… Read More

In honour of Earth Day, Treehouse Village Ecohousing is hosting a free, 45-minute webinar to share why we’re building our homes to the high energy-efficient standards of Passive House. Now in development on 15 acres of land in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada, Treehouse Village is a joyful, environmentally responsible, multi-age cohousing community. We’re dedicated to… Read More

Differences
The tricky thing about cohousing is that we are all different in all kinds of ways. It’s a
safe bet that one of the differences showing up in community this month is how we’d
like to transition out of our Covid precautions. The danger may be in the assumption
that everyone has to transition the same way or at the same pace. The first question
may be, where are the places where we really do have to all do the same thing. A
shared laundry may be one, a monthly business meeting, and probably some
others. And where are the places where we can accommodate differences, where
members can opt in or out as they feel safe to do so? Social gatherings perhaps, or
guest rooms. A lot will depend on the layout of common resources, and the trust that
each person has in the others to follow agreed protocols. We suspect that with a
little cohousing creativity, every community can find ways to meet both the pent up
need for connection that is driving some and the continued need for secluded safety
that drives others.
Some tips:
Talk to each other. See if you can get to the core concern. Speak to your own
needs. Try for “What would make me feel safe . . . “ rather than, “The right
thing is . . “ Look and listen for creative options and try them on a bit before
you decide if they might work.
Do what you said you’d do. Cheating the system you’ve all agreed will only
degrade the trust you will need at the next step.
Talk to each other some more. Review what you’ve agreed. Get curious about
whether it’s still working. Expect differences of opinion on this. Be open to
hearing about experiences that differ from yours. Make changes to the
agreements.
Through it all, strive for curiosity, empathy and compassion. They will take you far.
The skills and trust you build navigating this challenging round will serve you well
through differences that arrive in years to come.

National Cohousing Day! We have an online Zoom Outreach session in the morning, April 24, 10:00 – 11:30 am, and an In-Person session from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm with masks and social distancing. The Zoom call is a great way to meet some neighbors and other explorers, and to get an overview of the… Read More

Danielle Brestel

Transitions are stressful, even the good ones. When I was raising toddlers, their father traveled for work. The departures were hard. The returns were harder. Partly it was because I didn’t see it coming. After looking forward to his return for weeks, it did not occur to me that it could be both joyful and… Read More

Live in a cohousing neighborhood in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley! We’re looking for more kids and adults of all ages to join us as neighbors!     We’re a multi-generational group building homes in Harrisonburg, Virginia, a small university city of ~54,000 people and nicknamed “The Friendly City”. It’s a great place to raise kids, with… Read More

Who: Anyone interested in cohousing When: Sunday, April 18, 3-4 p.m. Mountain Time What: Join us for this online event to learn more about Alpenglow CoHousing. We’ll share the details of the community including what makes Alpenglow CoHousing special, pricing, available homes, how to reserve a home, and more How: Complete the reservation form. We will send you the… Read More

Alpenglow CoHousing is a ‘community within a community’ located in Ridgway, CO.

The housing market is hot and Canadians are moving East for the affordability, the breathing room, and the improved quality of life. In their search for values driven housing, families are drawn to cohousing. Treehouse Village Ecohousing is hosting a 45-minute webinar about Atlantic Canada’s first cohousing community. Homes are already 70% sold – with… Read More

Introducing Atlantic Canada’s 1st cohousing community and greenest neighbourhood, perfect for families seeking sustainable living. Located in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Treehouse Village Ecohousing offers private homes with passive house design, nestled in a forest, in a walkable neighbourhood.

Seeking land-mates and neighbors to co-own and manage a property, keep minimal livestock and a garden, and combine assets to ease the financial burden on all residents. We’re proposing an on site business with profit-sharing; as caretakers of a woodland festival space. Both residential and guest facilities will have disability access. We encourage you to… Read More

Returning to our Roots is an innovative answer to today’s environmental and social problems, providing sustainable benefits to meet the rising demands of an evolving market, including: reduced living expenses through shared resources, richer and more diverse social interactions within an intentional setting, greater security for adults, growing families and children, more leisure time, less… Read More

As much as we love our cohousing neighbors, it isn’t always easy to get along with them, make decisions together, and work through conflict productively. This event is about exactly that, connecting with our community through communication, conflict, consensus and more. We all have growth potential when it comes to our most precious community resource:… Read More

The Cohousing Association of the United States is a national nonprofit supporting cohousing communities in changing our world.

The Cohousing Association of the United States is a national nonprofit supporting cohousing communities in changing our world. Spreading the word about cohousing shifts the culture toward a new American dream where every home is surrounded by caring, collaborative neighbors who use less of the earth’s resources while living an abundant life.Mission: CohoUS advances cohousing… Read More