September 2017 Newsletter | CoHousing Solutions

CoHousing Solutions Newsletter | September 2017

Hi all,

In this edition, we'll be talking about new core groups, cohousing flourishing in the North Carolina Triangle, and Katie's Insights about her camping trip and how living in cohousing makes trying new things so easy!

- The CoHousing Solutions Team (Katie & Bethany)

New Cohousing Groups Abound

One of our new clients,

Skagit Cohousing

There is a groundswell of emerging cohousing groups across the country. The thirst for community and sustainable living is evident, and people are discovering that they have the ability and the motivation to co-create an environment suitable for their needs.

We are happy to announce CoHousing Solutions is consulting with many of these budding groups to help them see their dreams blossom into a reality. Three of our new clients are from the Seattle region: Seattle Village, Tammany Commons in the Arlington/Marysville area, and Skagit Cohousing in Snohomish County, WA. We are also consulting with Bassett Creek Cohousing in Minneapolis, MN; Screen Door Cohousing in Asheville, NC; and Green Country Cohousing in Tulsa, OK.

What a privilege and a pleasure to be guiding these new groups through the cohousing process! With the energy and motivation that a core group brings to the table, combined with Katie’s expertise in the development world, we can undoubtedly get more sustainable communities built. They have seen the value of enlisting the help of an expert in the field. Some of the services CoHousing Solutions offers to new groups include: group formation, site search & acquisition, membership growth, project feasibility, raising the money, facilitating development, and much more ! Also, remember we can provide marketing and outreach services such as social media expertise, graphic design and advertisements, newsletters, and website creation. Feel free to check out two new websites created by CS: bassettcreek.us and skagitcohousing.org .

Click here to learn more about other communities we are working with.

Spokane Cohousing celebrates their progress in creating community!

Katie's Insights

Cohousing Makes Trying New Things So Easy...

Inspired by one of the founding members of Spokane Cohousing, Susan Virnig, who came through Nevada City on her way to hike a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail, I decided it was time to get myself out into the wildness for a solo backpacking trip in the nearby mountains. If Susan could do it, and she’s older than me, then why not me? I grew up backpacking in the Colorado mountains and at one point in my life had done quite a bit. But that is now 38 years ago! I still have my old backpack, but the padding in the straps has all gone to dust.

So I sent out an email to my community… “anyone have backpacking equipment I can borrow for a few days?” Within 10 minutes, I had to send another email saying I had plenty of offers already. Then I got busy again with work, and didn’t do any planning for the upcoming trip. By Friday night of Labor Day Weekend, many neighbors had already left town for the holiday weekend. I made my way down the pathway to see who was still around, and the first stop got me nearly everything I needed and even some things I hadn’t thought of. On my way home from that neighbor, I ran into another who asked if I had found what I needed, and offered the stove I was still looking for, complete with a fuel tank. So, at the last minute, in short order, I had what I needed without driving anywhere.

Round Lake in the Sierra Mountains

It was a fabulous two nights out in the mountains, with great equipment that made it simple. One of the many wonderful things about living in community is that it’s easy to try new things because I am surrounded by people who are glad to offer advice, information and equipment. While I covet that great backpack I borrowed, I really don’t know if I’ll do enough to make it worth buying one of my own. For the time being, I know I have plenty of options so access to equipment should never hold me back.

Featured Article

"How the Triangle Became Ground Zero in the Cohousing Movement"

By Cole del Charco

"I grew up in a neighborhood where kids were running in and out of the houses and kids were just running through the doors," says Kathryn McCamant. "I think that's very, very hard for you to find these days.” Cohousing is growing, McCamant says, because modern society forgoes a close-knit style of living communities. People want that connectivity.

Read the rest of the article here and click here for more information on Village Hearth Cohousing in Durham, North Carolina.

Cohousing Updates

Upcoming Events

"Living Better, Together"

Katie McCamant to speak on SPUR panel discussion in San Francisco

Thursday, October 5, 2017 | 12:30pm

Have you ever dreamed of creating your own urban utopia? Our region may have a long history of cooperative housing efforts — from hippie communes to cohousing to more recent community homes that target younger tech professionals — but Germany's “baugruppen” have become the model for developing modern cohousing projects. Get inspired as we talk with experts about cohousing, cooperative living and how we can import a German housing concept to the Bay Area.

Click here for more information about SPUR's Oct 5 Panel Discussion