[Wendy is responding to an inquiry from a person in Sacramento seeking affordable cohousing options, who writes: I’ve been trying to crack this cohousing egg for many years without luck. We have many new cohousing projects either developed or in development in the Sacramento, California area, but when I ask about affordable units, I get... Read More

Attached and available for download are Coho/US packages seeking FNMA and FHA-HUD support. We encourage readers to use this package if helpful; for example, cohousing groups seeking financing and may want to share with banks; communities may want to share the “state of cohousing” with media. “This very professional program and package directed to our... Read More

While it has been arguably necessary, it is also unfortunate that cohousing projects are most often sold to appraisers and banks as nothing less–and nothing more–than a condominium. You’ve cut costs and squeezed expenses, and your appraisal is still a barrier to getting a loan. It’s looking like there’s nothing left to do short of... Read More

These comments are in response to a coho-l inquiry: Wherever US/CA cohousing exists or is built, does it in fact sell *below* market rate relative to comparable residences within the surrounding community? Liz responds: Because home prices are compared based on similar homes and cost per square foot, I can’t think of anything that would... Read More

In response to an inquiry on the coho-l email discussion group, about recommendations on connecting with people who might be interested in starting a community, Tom Lofft with Liberty Village Cohousing in Maryland responded: Hi all wannabes and start-up cohousers: I recommend that any small group in particular, especially those who are thinking of breaking... Read More

The Board of Partnerships for Affordable Cohousing (PFAC) is excited to announce that Wendy Wiesner has agreed to serve as our first Executive Director! Wendy is widely known for her commitment to and promotion of cohousing. As a PFAC Board member, she has spent much of her time connecting with and assisting forming and expanding... Read More

I am often asked about “affordable housing”. People want “affordable cohousing”. I want to share with you what this is all about and why I believe this country lacks “affordable cohousing”. I also want to tell you about a good book by Andrew Heben “Tent City Urbanism (From self-organized Camps to Tiny House Villages)” which... Read More

What are some ways to encourage people to create low-income cohousing?, Suggestions: 1. Define “low income.” “Affordable” is not a euphemism for “low income.” Affordable is usually defined as 80% of the average cost of a similar housing unit in the area. That could be in the millions and still be called “affordable.” HUD’s definitions... Read More

In our quest to expand cohousing, Coho/US has long recognized two major challenges: (1) accessing financing and (2) creating more affordable models. This month, Coho/US made headway in addressing both, establishing a formal collaboration with Partnerships for Affordable Cohousing. Pooling our reach, credibility and knowledge will bolster our mutual efforts to develop and promote strategies... Read More