Tag: Developing


Green Tax Incentive Compendium (Jan 2015 – Eastern US)

Submitted by Jerome L. Garciano on
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.
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Community Size

Submitted by Sharon Villines, Tacoma Village on
Question: I would like to know the number of units of the smallest Cohousing communities and people’s opinions about the smallest number of units necessary for a viable Cohousing community. Response: Years ago, somewhere in the literature I saw the results of a survey that the ideal size was 25-35 households. Under 25 could get... Read More

Aging Succesfully 2014: Senior Cohousing weeklong workshop coming in October to Nevada City,CA

Submitted by Raines Cohen, Cohousing Coach, Aging-in-Community Author and Certified Senior Advisor on
I participated in the first two years Chuck Durrett offered this workshop, and found it gave me a strong base of understanding of the essential elements for Aging in Community, enabling me to teach the Danish “Successful Aging” curriculum that is part of the best path to getting Senior Cohousing off the ground. It’s a... Read More

New Marketing Ideas

Submitted by Sharon Villines, Takoma Village Cohousing on
Carolyn Dyer of Iowa City Cohousing, still forming, posted their marketing plan to the Cohousing-L email list a week or two ago. I thought it contained many new ideas and asked her if I could share it here. She said yes so here it is. I particularly liked their use of speakers on related topics,... Read More
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What should a forming group ….get a good plan for NOW?”

Submitted by grace h. kim | schemata workshop inc. on
Grace Kim responded to a query on cohousing-l to “cohousing veterans:” “What should we (a forming group) be worried about / work out in advance / get a good plan for NOW?” I’ll preface my advice with the fact that I am an architect, but also a founding member of an urban cohousing group in... Read More

What Should We Be Afraid Of?

Submitted by Sharon Villines on
On Cohousing-L, a member of a forming group asked a smart question: “What SHOULD we be worried about?” Philip Dowds, an architect living in Cornerstone Cohousing in Cambridge Cohousing replied:Plan on delay. Plan on surprising cost increases. Plan on flogging your way past disappointments. Your group may have to deal one or more of …internal... Read More

Mistakes New Cohousing Groups Make

Submitted by Sharon Villines on
A list of the 6 mistakes that groups have made that contributed to their downfall or cost them significant financial loses and/or membership problems. Not a scientific study but reflects 20 years of reading Cohousing-L. 1. NOT READING COHOUSING-L. Cohousing-L will give you access to hundreds of successful cohousers who are more than willing to... Read More

New Cohousing opportunity in Northampton Massachusetts

Submitted by By Laura Fitch on
Kraus Fitch Architects is pleased to announce that it will be partnering with Transformations, Inc in developing a new cohousing community as part of the Village Hill neighborhood development in Northampton. We have been holding informational meetings about cohousing and the potential for this new community. The first two meetings were very successful, with approximately... Read More

HUD is talking about cohousing!

Submitted by By Katie McCamant on
Dear all, I wanted to share this exciting news. HUD is talking about cohousing! See email below from the woman I work with on Fannie Mae and FHA Project Approvals. “Wanted to share the attached brochure, HUD DC handed out in our roundtable meeting March 24-26, 2014. You are referenced on Page 2. HUD spoke... Read More