Components of Cohousing

Residents plan the community together to meet their needs. Every member has a say in what our community will look and how it will function. It's a benefit to joining early: be involved and have your say!

The walkways, common house, and common outdoor areas all encourage interaction. We also envision many opportunities to be social every day, with clubs, gatherings, events, and fun group meetings. 

Residents enjoy their own self-contained private retreat, complete with kitchen and bathroom. Everyone has their own place to hibernate in. Consider the common house an extension of your own home, a place where fun happens!

Living in cohousing means everyone participates in creating community. Committees will be developed such as Social Gatherings, Community Outtings, Weekly Communal Dinners, Movie Nights, Snow Removal, Gardening, etc. There will be creative opportunity for every person to pitch in.

Cohousing is non-hierarchical and every resident has a voice. The community may have begun with the "burning soul" who envisioned the end result, but another member may spearhead the financing aspect, and yet another may arrange the venue for each meeting. Each member contributes as they feel led, and every voice counts equally.

Below are the typical phases for developing a cohousing community. The points may not be inclusive and may occur in a moderately different order. These points provide insight into the process, activities, and commitment needed to build a cohousing community. We are currently  in Step #1 and Step #2, and actively seeking like-minded families to join us. It is a great time to get involved!

• Read material on cohousing, explore websites such as cohousing.ca, perhaps visit an existing cohousing community. Learn about it!
• Attend meetings and learn together.
• Core group identifies shared values, goals, and related policies.
• Set up group working structure; develop group process skills. Practise consensus decision-making protocols. 
• Examine commitment to this cohousing community.
• Explore financial capability and intention. What can you afford? Are you prequalified for a mortgage?
• Hire project development manager.
• Hire group process consultant.

• Participate in a weekend program called "Getting it Built."
• Identify site criteria.
• Search for site.
• Pre-qualify for mortgage.
• Hire architect. Participate in identifying goals and priorities.
• Evaluate site: work with consultant and broker to negotiate land purchase contract and preliminary feasibility studies.
• Hire developer/contractor.
• Core group coalesces around site and makes financial commitment. Some members do not continue, but remain our friends.

• Work with project manager and architect on schematic design for community: site, Common House, and private homes.
• Cultivate support of neighbouring community.
• Submit plans to authorities for approval.
• Receive approval from planning department.

• Review design development with architect and select finishes.
• Architect completes construction documents.
• Work out construction management policies and procedures.
• Finalize construction contract.
• Submit designs for building permits and receive approvals.
• Finalize construction loan.

• Celebrate! Organize and participate in the ground breaking event!
• Start construction.
• If you plan to sell the home you currently live in, now is the time!
• Select furnishings for the Common House.
• Develop procedures for managing our cohousing community. 
• Finalize personal financial requirements.