Cohousing is a collaborative, consensus-based style of living, in which residents have an active voice in the operation and maintenance of the community. The physical layout of the neighborhood enables an individual to experience privacy and space as well as a full social life. Most cohousing communities include common areas such as a common house, playgrounds, gardens, and shared open land. The common house is the social center, where residents host meals, clubs, and parties, hold meetings, etc. The layout of homes is often a clustered pattern, with the common areas in the general center, connected by pedestrian paths.
Originated in Denmark in the early 1980s, the idea of cohousing has quickly spread all over the globe and there are now hundreds of cohousing communities worldwide. The average size is 20-40 households, though this can vary significantly. Even in the largest communities, almost all residents form friendships, as each member's opinions and input are valued and respected by all peers. A main goal of cohousing is to create support and cooperation between residents of all ages.
Cohousing actively provides solutions for many large issues facing society today. Relationships are fostered by teamwork and sharing of activities, raising quality of life and promoting good health. Cohousing is extremely sustainable, as shared resources reduce energy usage and cost. Many homes utilize progressive energy sources such as solar panels, and all alterations to the community are undertaken with the health of the environment in mind. Carpooling and sharing of transportation is also a frequent occurrence. In general, life is more enjoyable and relaxed; members trust each other and the close proximity allows for sharing of important moments and daily conversation.
Originated in Denmark in the early 1980s, the idea of cohousing has quickly spread all over the globe and there are now hundreds of cohousing communities worldwide. The average size is 20-40 households, though this can vary significantly. Even in the largest communities, almost all residents form friendships, as each member's opinions and input are valued and respected by all peers. A main goal of cohousing is to create support and cooperation between residents of all ages.
Cohousing actively provides solutions for many large issues facing society today. Relationships are fostered by teamwork and sharing of activities, raising quality of life and promoting good health. Cohousing is extremely sustainable, as shared resources reduce energy usage and cost. Many homes utilize progressive energy sources such as solar panels, and all alterations to the community are undertaken with the health of the environment in mind. Carpooling and sharing of transportation is also a frequent occurrence. In general, life is more enjoyable and relaxed; members trust each other and the close proximity allows for sharing of important moments and daily conversation.
Arcadia CoHousing Community gathers after a workday in spring 2022.
The Cohousing Association of the United States describes the "Six Defining Characteristics of Cohousing" as:
1. Participatory process. Future residents participate in the design of the community so that it meets their needs. Some cohousing communities are initiated or driven by a developer. In those cases, if the developer brings the future resident group into the process late in the planning, the residents will have less input into the design. A well-designed, pedestrian-oriented community without significant resident participation in the planning may be “cohousing-inspired,” but it is not a cohousing community.
2. Neighborhood design. The physical layout and orientation of the buildings (the site plan) encourage a sense of community. For example, the private residences are clustered on the site, leaving more shared open space. The dwellings typically face each other across a pedestrian street or courtyard, with cars parked on the periphery. Often, the front doorway of every home affords a view of the common house. What far outweighs any specifics, however, is the intention to create a strong sense of community, with design as one of the facilitators.
3. Common facilities. Common facilities are designed for daily use, are an integral part of the community, and are always supplemental to the private residences. The common house typically includes a common kitchen, dining area, sitting area, children's playroom and laundry, and also may contain a workshop, library, exercise room, crafts room and/or one or two guest rooms. Except on very tight urban sites, cohousing communities often have playground equipment, lawns and gardens as well. Since the buildings are clustered, larger sites may retain several or many acres of undeveloped shared open space.
4. Resident management. Residents manage their own cohousing communities, and also perform much of the work required to maintain the property. They participate in the preparation of common meals, and meet regularly to solve problems and develop policies for the community.
5. Non-hierarchical structure and decision-making. Leadership roles naturally exist in cohousing communities, however no one person (or persons) has authority over others. Most groups start with one or two “burning souls.” As people join the group, each person takes on one or more roles consistent with his or her skills, abilities or interests. Most cohousing groups make all of their decisions by consensus, and, although many groups have a policy for voting if the group cannot reach consensus after a number of attempts, it is rarely or never necessary to resort to voting.
6. No shared community economy. The community is not a source of income for its members. Occasionally, a cohousing community will pay one of its residents to do a specific (usually time-limited) task, but more typically the work will be considered that member's contribution to the shared responsibilities.
Looking for additional information on what cohousing is?
Check out the Cohousing Association of the United States website.
1. Participatory process. Future residents participate in the design of the community so that it meets their needs. Some cohousing communities are initiated or driven by a developer. In those cases, if the developer brings the future resident group into the process late in the planning, the residents will have less input into the design. A well-designed, pedestrian-oriented community without significant resident participation in the planning may be “cohousing-inspired,” but it is not a cohousing community.
2. Neighborhood design. The physical layout and orientation of the buildings (the site plan) encourage a sense of community. For example, the private residences are clustered on the site, leaving more shared open space. The dwellings typically face each other across a pedestrian street or courtyard, with cars parked on the periphery. Often, the front doorway of every home affords a view of the common house. What far outweighs any specifics, however, is the intention to create a strong sense of community, with design as one of the facilitators.
3. Common facilities. Common facilities are designed for daily use, are an integral part of the community, and are always supplemental to the private residences. The common house typically includes a common kitchen, dining area, sitting area, children's playroom and laundry, and also may contain a workshop, library, exercise room, crafts room and/or one or two guest rooms. Except on very tight urban sites, cohousing communities often have playground equipment, lawns and gardens as well. Since the buildings are clustered, larger sites may retain several or many acres of undeveloped shared open space.
4. Resident management. Residents manage their own cohousing communities, and also perform much of the work required to maintain the property. They participate in the preparation of common meals, and meet regularly to solve problems and develop policies for the community.
5. Non-hierarchical structure and decision-making. Leadership roles naturally exist in cohousing communities, however no one person (or persons) has authority over others. Most groups start with one or two “burning souls.” As people join the group, each person takes on one or more roles consistent with his or her skills, abilities or interests. Most cohousing groups make all of their decisions by consensus, and, although many groups have a policy for voting if the group cannot reach consensus after a number of attempts, it is rarely or never necessary to resort to voting.
6. No shared community economy. The community is not a source of income for its members. Occasionally, a cohousing community will pay one of its residents to do a specific (usually time-limited) task, but more typically the work will be considered that member's contribution to the shared responsibilities.
Looking for additional information on what cohousing is?
Check out the Cohousing Association of the United States website.
Becky Laskody offers a tour of Arcadia.