We’ll always have one another

Dear Community,

In this moment, many of us feel a mix of emotions—grief, uncertainty, and perhaps even fear for the future. Recent events have challenged our core values, reminding us just how essential it is to hold onto what truly matters. Now more than ever, we see the importance of places where collectivism, sustainability, and justice aren’t just ideals but practices that shape our lives and strengthen our communities.

In the past week, as always, many of us have found solace within our communities. We’re gathering to listen to one another, to sit in silence when words aren’t enough, and to offer our spaces as sanctuaries for both humans and ideas. Neighbors are sharing meals, marching together, and sharing resources for action and inspiration. In these ways, we’re offering each other comfort and strength, showing that resilience is built on connection. By supporting each other through difficult times, we’re modeling compassion, cooperation, and hope.

Cohousing is more than shared spaces; it’s a commitment to working together and building relationships that mirror the best parts of democracy. When we practice listening, consensus, and collaboration, we’re doing the essential work of building a stronger society. By coming together in these ways, we’re not only enriching our own lives but also contributing to a future that reflects these values.

At the Cohousing Association of the U.S., we’re dedicated to supporting communities like ours that embody these principles. But to continue this work, we need your support. Your contributions make it possible to grow and sustain these communities, which stand as beacons of resilience, justice, and unity.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us and for showing up for each other.

With gratitude,

Trish Becker-Hafnor

Executive Director

Cohousing Association of the U.S.

Support CohoUS

Sharing the Salad Bowl: A Journey in Resident-Developer Led Cohousing with Crow Woods

How did a retired pediatrician become a real estate developer? Crow Woods, our new Seattle cohousing community, is a dream come true for me. It is a winding path that got me here.

“Martha’s here, let’s eat!” My sister had arrived for dinner, a casserole of vegetables from our garden, yogurt (homemade in the cupboard with a contraption involving a light bulb) and some chewy whole grain I didn’t recognize. It was 1979 and my four housemates and I shared a tall wooden house in Seattle. We were all professionals in our twenties. I paid $80/month rent and put $12/week in the food kitty, a cigar box kept in a kitchen drawer. Whoever shopped took the money from the cigar box. On Sundays we walked to the nearby park for pick-up soccer. It was a terrific couple of years.

Keep reading on our blog!

The Puzzle of the Super-Ager

In November 2023, AARP published an article called “Celebrating What’s Right With Aging: Inside the Minds of Super Agers.” Why do some people in their 80s and 90s show little decline in their cognitive abilities, while many of us struggle with slower memory, and others slide into dementia?

The following article paraphrases some portions of the AARP story. Find the whole article, with more detail and examples, here.

University of California, Irvine is running the 90+ Study, researching successful aging and dementia in people 90 or older. The study has recruited some 1,600 participants who demonstrate remarkable memory. Reseachers use MRIs and other scans along with biological markers in their quest to understand this exceptional group of “super-agers.” Many of the participants also allow the researchers to do post-mortem studies of their brains.

In general, super-agers are defined as people over 80 who have memories at least as good as people who are 20 to 30 years younger.

Read more on our blog

Sociocracy For All's Empower Your Vision: Sociocracy in Intentional Communities Conference

Join Sociocracy for All (SoFA) on Saturday, November 23 for their fourth annual conference, ‘Empower Your Vision: Sociocracy in Intentional Communities,’ organized by their Intentional Communities Circle.

This event highlights the power of shared governance in creating transformative change within intentional communities. With 17 expert presenters leading engaging sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to build community, share experiences, and deepen your governance practices. They offer flexible ticket options, starting at $20 for those with limited resources, ensuring that everyone can participate.

For those who can, contributions of $80, $120, or $240 are greatly appreciated and help us sustain this event and future gatherings. Recordings will be available for two months.

Learn more and register here.

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 10^th at 10am MT.

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 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.