Home Away from Home

Last month, I had the opportunity to tour ten cohousing communities in Northern California, where the concept first took root in the US. Though not surprised, I was deeply moved by the generous and creative hospitality of each community I visited. I had the pleasure of meeting communitarians, experienced and brand new, and hearing their visions for a more connected future. We discussed how CohoUS can support existing cohousers as they grow in and out of the various life cycles of a community. I shared with them my hopes for the movement, and how CohoUS is prepared to bring those hopes to life. But beyond the dinner table conversations, I was moved by the experience of community. By the fact that I could travel across the country and feel the same sense of belonging and care that I do at home.

At the idyllic Nevada City Cohousing, I prepared a common meal alongside Katie McCamant who, in addition to being the matriarch of cohousing, is a fabulous cook. I enjoyed colorful potlucks and inspiring conversations about the future of cohousing at Wolf Creek Lodge, Southside Park Cohousing and Fair Oaks Ecohousing. I laughed until my sides ached at Temescal Commons and shared bagels with local cohousing explorers at Berkeley Cohousing, one of the oldest communities in the US. I even donned a hard hat and explored the sites of two vibrant communities (that each have available units!): Washington Commons in West Sacramento and Berkeley Moshav, the country’s first urban Jewish cohousing community.

In addition to connecting with communities and sharing more about CohoUS, we were fortunate to benefit from the services of professional photographers who donated their time to helping us tell the story of cohousing. I’m incredibly grateful to Pro Bono Photo and the willing models at Mountain View Cohousing, Phoenix Commons and Temescal Commons.

The people I met with were generous with their stories – sharing heartaches and hopes, wisdom and curiosities. I was struck by the dedication of community founders. Many have endured years (or decades!) of barriers, lost opportunities, political battles and shifting memberships, all in pursuit of community. And I was inspired by the enthusiasm of the newest among us – those who believe that a vacant lot will soon be transformed into a hub of belonging and collective care. I was uplifted by those doing the transforming (I’m looking at you UD+P, Urban Moshav, Cohousing Solutions). And I departed feeling transformed myself – buoyed by the hope of a more connected future and grounded in a shared commitment to one another.

The Commons

A (free) monthly gathering for the cohousing curious

(and experts too!)

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. We’ll share cohousing lingo, best practices and more information on how to continue your cohousing journey. Join us once, or every time – we’ll be here every month on the 10^th at 10am MT.

Architectural Associate Champions Senior Cohousing

The Seattle Design Festival, taking place Aug. 19-24, is offering a free opportunity to hear what someone in the field of architecture thinks about senior cohousing. Queena Stone, Assoc. AIA in Seattle, will present a virtual talk on her discoveries in a recent project. Here’s what she says:

Cohousing isn’t just a trendy throwback to a utopian idea from the past. In fact, it may well be the answer to some of our most prominent contemporary challenges. Challenges like the lack of affordable housing, loneliness, our aging populations. How can we enable a better and more sustainable way of life for many people as their needs, aspirations, and lifestyles change?

Current senior living options are often too expensive and insolating. As people live longer and the global population gets older, we need to rethink the living environments of older people to ensure their participation and social interaction in communities.

In this virtual session, I will present five senior cohousing projects that were the first successful community to form in their prospective cities. Being the first, these communities provide a unique opportunity to learn from their challenges in realizing their communities.

No one can predict the future, but anyone can shape it. Let’s inspire people to rethink the way we live and age and discover how shared living like cohousing can help solve some of our biggest challenges. My hope is that you will see the benefits of senior cohousing and consider this housing type as an option for your own future.

Please visit the event page for information on the time and date of this presentation:

https://seadesignfest.org/event/sdf-2023-design-mixers/

The travel for this project was funded through the AIA Seattle Emerging Professional Travel Grant.

Upcoming events

Aug. 2 –– “Aging Gracefully in Community”, 9am–1pm MT - A 5-week online course from the Foundation for Intentional Community, $99–$249 - Register here

Aug. 10 –– The Commons, 10am MT - Register here

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.

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 Evergreen Neighbor, 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