Cohousing in the Spotlight: Good News for Challenging Times

In a world often filled with daunting headlines, it's refreshing to see stories of connection, collaboration, and hope breaking through the noise. This month, cohousing has made waves both nationally and locally, showcasing the power of community as a source of good news and inspiration.


Nationally, NPR’s All Things Considered featured a heartwarming story about parenting in cohousing. The segment highlighted how families in intentional communities are redefining what it means to raise children, sharing the joys and responsibilities of parenting with their neighbors. It’s a beautiful testament to how cohousing can create nurturing environments that benefit both kids and parents alike. You can listen to the full story here.

Heartwood Commons' Suzy Sharp speaking about community life

Locally, Heartwood Commons, a new cohousing community in Tulsa, OK, was featured on the news as they begin to realize their vision for a collaborative and connected way of life. Their story reminds us that cohousing isn’t just about living together—it’s about building a foundation for a thriving, intentional future. Watch the feature here.


At a time when many of us are seeking signs of hope, these stories remind us that cohousing offers a tangible vision for a brighter future. Whether on a national stage or in a local spotlight, these moments demonstrate the transformative impact of cohousing—not just for those who live it, but for society as a whole.


As a small nonprofit, CohoUS works tirelessly to spread the good news of cohousing—supporting communities like Heartwood Commons, amplifying stories like the NPR feature, and providing education and resources to those who dream of living more collaboratively.


To continue this important work, we need your help. Your year-end donation ensures that we can share the positive impact of cohousing far and wide, connect more people to this life-changing way of living, and empower communities to thrive. Please consider making a gift today to support our mission and bring more good news into the world.


Let’s keep spreading the good news! If your community has been featured in the media or is doing something newsworthy, we’d love to hear about it. Share your community stories here.

Support CohoUS

Corporate Transparency Act


November 13, 2024

Karen Jolly & Karen Swisshelm

 

This is a Federal requirement for all HOA/Condos to comply with by December 31, 2024. We at PDX Commons in Portland will likely have met compliance by Thanksgiving.

 

How did we do it? Community Associates Inc provided information about this new act during the spring. Our attorneys provided several Zoom opportunities explaining the Act and the possible high-cost of not being in compliance. They also offered at a flat rate to file the papers for us. PDXC decided to self-file. After a small challenge to register the entity, all residents presented a passport or driver’s license to be scanned, along with the other information required. While not every resident of every HOA is required to file, our form of governance is fluid and we determined it was safer to file for everyone to cover any changes that may occur throughout the year to complete the Beneficial Owner Information Report (BOIR).

 

It's not too late or too early to get started. Your attorney should be helpful, or spend the time and energy to do it yourselves; it may take a team effort.

 

Information is found at https://fincen.gov/boi


Note: This blurb is not meant to be intended as legal advice. We recommend communities do their own research and continue checking the status and requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act as litigation continues.

Rancho La Salud Village: A Multi-national Community

If you’ve been dreaming this winter of finding an international cohousing community surrounded by palm trees with perfect 70-80 degree daytime temperatures, maybe you’re dreaming of Rancho La Salud Village (RLSV). As Mexico’s first cohousing community, RLSV is in a semi-rural location along the shores of Lake Chapala – Mexico’s largest lake – three miles west of the magical town of Ajijic and about an hour south of Guadalajara (Mexico’s second largest city) in the state of Jalisco. The Lake Chapala area for many years has welcomed residents from around the world, creating a wonderful blending of different cultures while still maintaining a Mexican cultural lifestyle – a perfect place to build “cohousing a la Mexicana”. 


Keep reading on our blog!

Soul Sisters -- A Different Twist on Cohousing


When you think about senior cohousing, you probably imagine a cluster of homes, free-standing or joined, where couples and singles live in a community atmosphere. Typically a senior community has 20- to 30-some residents who have their own private homes and share common spaces and amenities. They also share some meals, community management, social activities, recreation and more.


But there are, or can be, many variations on this theme -- it doesn’t have to be one size fits all. In 2023 Bob Rabin had an opportunity to visit one such variation, Soul Sisters, located in the Vanier district of Ottawa, Ontario. Following is a summary of what he observed and learned.


Read more on our blog

Looking Forward Forum with Cohousing Research Network and Research Institute for Community-led Housing

Join us for the Looking Forward Forum, where we’ll explore the future of the Cohousing Research Network (CRN) and the Research Institute for Community-led Housing (RICLH) in an open, collaborative conversation. It’s a great opportunity to share ideas, discuss key housing topics, and connect with others passionate about cohousing and community-led housing.


Event Details:

📅 Date: December 12th, 2024

⏰ Time: 5:00 pm PT

📍 Location: Virtual platform



Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/3ChG0op.

Join us for our free monthly events to learn more about cohousing!

The Commons


Curious about cohousing but don’t know where to start? Want to meet with cohousing newbies and experts alike?


This (free) monthly gathering will include a Cohousing 101 presentation and ample time to connect and ask questions. Join us once, or every time – we’ll be here every month on the 10th at 10am MT.

Register

Senior Cohousing Q&A


Want to learn more about what it's like to build, join, and participate in cohousing as you age?


The Senior Cohousing Advocates Committee will be facilitating an informal conversation for those interested in senior cohousing and/or senior living in intergenerational cohousing. This (free) event will take place every month on the 20th at 10am MT.

Register

Will you share your community stories with us?

Submit anecdotes, photos, videos and stories so that we can help tell the story of life in community.

SHARE YOUR STORY HERE

Cohousing is part of a more sustainable, democratic and connected future.


To date, CohoUS has helped enable the development of over 200 cohousing communities in the US. These communities serve as examples of the sustainable and community-based neighborhoods our country will need in the future. Please support CohoUS and help us double that number in the next few years.

 

Your monthly gift will both support new initiatives as well as the continued nurturing of our communities and growth of our movement. As an CohoUS Donor, you can take pride in creating a legacy that will live on to support future generations.


Donations, as a community or as an individual, are accepted year round and can be made to:


Cohousing Association of the US

3860 Chase St

Wheat Ridge, CO 80212

DONATE

Professional Services

The Cohousing Company



The Cohousing Company offers design and some key development consulting service from leading cohousing expert Charles Durrett to assist you in building a high-functioning cohousing community.

CoHousing Solutions


CoHousing Solutions provides development consulting and marketing services to help you create your cohousing community. 

Studio Co+Hab



Studio Co+Hab is an architecture firm focused on innovative and sustainably-built environments such as cohousing and other intentional communities.

Classified Listings
Forming Communities and Communities Seeking Members

Polestar Village

Fort Collins, CO

Rooted Northwest

Arlington Heights, WA

Shift Esperanza Eco-Village

Nosara, Costa Rica


Burns Village & Farm Cohousing and Agrihood Community

Burns,TN

Cohousing Houston

Houston, TX

4th Corner Commons

Bellingham, WA


Sunnyside Village Cohousing Marysville, WA

Adams Creek Cohousing

Hood River, OR



Mission Peak Village

Fremont, CA

Cathedral Park Cohousing

Portland, OR

Heartwood Commons

Tulsa, OK

Heartwood Cohousing

Bayfield,CO

Washington Commons

West Sacramento, CA

Newark Cohousing

Newark, DE


Cohousing ABQ

Albuquerque, NM


Rachel Carson EcoVillage

Gibsonia, PA

Wolf Creek Lodge

Grass Valley, CA

Crow Woods

Seattle, WA


Cohousing of Greater Baltimore

Baltimore, MD

Altair Ecovillage

Phoenixville, PA



Homes for Sale or Rent

Durham, NC

For Sale: Highly Desirable Condo in Downtown CoHousing Community

Oakland, CA

For Sale: Bright Modern Condo on the Oakland - Alameda Estuary


Madison, WI

For Sale: Sunny Cohousing Unit for Sale in Madison WI

Ashland, OR

For Sale: Ashland Co housing townhome for sale

Bristol, VT

For Sale: Elegant Federal period 1813 townhouse for sale at Bristol Village


Grass Valley, CA

For Sale: 1 bed, 1 bath available at Wolf Creek Lodge Cohousing

Fair Oaks, CA

For Sale: Peaceful Oasis in Fair Oaks Ecohousing

Colorado Springs, CO

For Sale: Model B Duplex for sale in Colorado Springs

Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico

For Sale: One-Story Home in Beautiful Mexican Cohousing Community

Iowa City, IA

For Sale: LEED Gold Certified 2BR/2BA in Prairie Hill Ecovillage Cohousing

Burlington, VT

For Sale: 3Br / 1.5 bath Townhome in Burlington CoHousing

Durham, NC

For Sale: Village Hearth 2BR/2BA in LGBTQ-focused 55+ Community in Durham, NC. Friends & allies welcome!

Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico

For Sale: Beautiful Townhouse in Mexican Cohousing Community

Durham, NC

For Sale: Comfortable 2BR/1BA Condo in Village Hearth - LGBTQIA+ & Allies

Rougemont, NC

For Sale: Tiny Home with the big footprint, at Elderberry Senior Cohousing


Supporters
By The Numbers

Community Directory

Searching for a Cohousing Community?

Searching for Cohousing Professional?
Facebook  Instagram  Linkedin