Happy Fall from CoHousing Solutions

CoHousing Solutions Newsletter | October 2021

Happy Fall!

As we welcome fall, we at CoHousing Solutions have a lot to celebrate. Whether we are looking at how we can reverse climate change, how we can support our mental health crisis, or how we can heal division and come together, the principles behind cohousing just make sense, maybe more sense now than ever. The interest in cohousing continues to grow as people rethink their relationship to our ever-changing world. Living through a pandemic has emphasized the importance of community in proximity and all of the gifts that come with it.

"I got a great text this morning!"

One of the best parts about this job is getting confirmation that what we're doing here at CoHousing Solutions is helping people create a structure where they can live their best lives. Katie recently received a text from Jim, one of the founders of Haystack Heights in Spokane, Washington and it made her day.

"Hey Katie, just wanted to say thank you for all your advice and guidance along the way to building our community. Mariah and I moved in on Thursday and we love it! Kids are running around in the common areas, neighbors are sharing things, people are dropping by, it's great! We couldn't have done it without you".

- Jim, Haystack Heights

Even after 35 years of living, working and breathing cohousing, it’s always a delight to hear that people are enjoying the fruits of their hard work. Katie vividly remembers her first visit to Spokane in 2017 to help a few families evaluate the potential property they were considering. While the property was in a great location in an older walkable neighborhood, the first budget was a bit frightening for them. But three households preserved, and with a lot of hard work and focus, 39 families are now moving in. While 4.5 years might seem like a long time, it's actually pretty typical for cohousing development. What is the key to their success: first, getting real about costs and what new housing actually cost to build, then staying focused on moving forward in an effective way with the right consultants to guide you.

Visit Haystack Heights Website

Tune In: Cohousing Houston creates podcast- 32 of them so far

Interested in learning more about cohousing from real cohousers? Have a listen to our client’s, CoHousing Houston, podcast, where members Lynn Morstead & Kelli Soika chat about cohousing topics. They reflect on a broad range of questions, observations, challenges and successes related to their forming cohousing community and the world around them, along with interviewing various guests. They are newbies to the podcasting world, refining their craft each week. Come along for the ride! They're fun!

You can hear Katie talk about the development process in Episode 25. Katie covers a broad range of topics related to launching, organizing, financing and developing a cohousing project based on her 30+ years experience helping cohousing communities come to life. Click here to have a listen.

Washington Commons : Leaders in

Sustainable Living

Congratulations to our clients/friends at Washington Commons in West Sacramento, California. This group has been consistently working hard and their hard work is about to pay off. With only a few spots left to fill, they will be breaking ground soon. Located just across the river from downtown Sacramento, this community is cohousing's poster child for a sustainable future. For starters, they're located in the center of the Sacramento Metropolitan Area, which means they'll be able to make a lot of their trips on foot, by bike, and or by bus. Living at Washington Commons you'll even be able to walk to the Amtrack station to hop on a train to the SF bay area or Truckee and the Tahoe Basin. Studies have shown over and over that people living in the urban core reduce their vehicle miles traveled by at least 1/3.

Their building will not only be built to California's stringent, energy-efficient building standards (the most stringent in the nation), they are also committed to an all electric building including electric charging for resident cars and are planning for solar use.

While each member will have their own independent condominium flat, they will be sharing many things, including meals a few times a week -saving them money and reducing food waste. They won't have as much personal space to manage so they won't be needing as many things, which will reduce their footprint of personal needs. There will be intangible sharing as well. They'll share how they do things and they'll learn from one another. They will likely give each other their best ideas, many of which will relate to sustainability and making their community a better place.

Be sure to look for an announcement about groundbreaking coming soon as they continue to gain new members! For more information about Washington Commons, visit their website.

2021 Cohousing Affordabilty conference

One of the most common values and biggest challenges for cohousing is to be affordable to all. This event will dig into this difficult topic from many perspectives, from development options to HOA dues and the ways to help each other.

Click here to register.

Hold the Date : National Cohousing Conference

The Cohousing Association has announced the next In-person National Cohousing Conference will be August 25-28, 2022 in Madison WI. These conferences offer a wealth of information and connections for anyone interested in cohousing and any stage of cohousing (seeking, forming, and long-time living in cohousers). We look forward to seeing lots of new and old friends there.