Re: affordable housing | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: David B. Neeley (dneeleyccsi.com) | |
Date: Tue, 22 Aug 1995 15:11:25 -0500 |
I've been following the discussion of affordable housing and Cohousing (in general and as related to the mobility-impaired) for some time. Congratulations on dealing with a problem that is larger than the general Coho vs. traditional housing options,and which is frequently ignored by the vast majority in this country. The majority of those considering these problems seem to either feel that the relatively small numbers of residents of a Coho community should contribute to subsidize others to join their community. Others believe that the additional financial burdens would be difficult for such small numbers to bear, and that the limited number of people that could be helped by such strategies would be so small as to be of little aid to the overall problem. May I suggest several strategies that could be of help? First, why not establish a credit union for cohousing? This would be made up of folks with an interest in the subject and who are actively working toward or who are already living in cohousing. It would therefore be uniquely situated to evaluate both individuals and projects for funding and would reward depositors with interest on their deposits and lower-cost loans on building projects. This seems a win-win proposition. Second, the vast majority of housing in this country is too expensive, and long-term mortgages make many slaves to the interest payments for thirty years. One way out is to use alternative construction methods being developed for use throughout the country (and elsewhere). There is a very active mailing list, for example, for straw bale construction...quick and inexpensive to build, durable, cheaper to live in, etc. Other techniques could include a variation of Earthships (rammed earth in surplus tires). In addition to dramatically reduced building and living costs, these techniques could include labor credits for those who assist other residents in construction...further enabling those who have reduced means to afford their own residences in a project. The point is that it is not necessary to rely on traditional and expensive construction and financing methods to build a nontraditional cohousing project. There should be ample opportunity to experiment in these areas, as well. If you can't play the game by the rules, it helps to change the game. I hope this has been helpful. (By the way, I, too, am in a situation where current Cohousing is financially unobtainable. Therefore, I am starting to explore the possibilities of just such a project as I am speaking of here in the Austin area. Should anyone have any suggestions, feel free to email me. I'd be grateful for any input you might have). David Neeley
- RE: Affordable housing, (continued)
- RE: Affordable housing Jeffrey O. Hobson, March 28 1995
- RE: Affordable housing Gerald Rioux, March 28 1995
- affordable housing BERWIN, August 21 1995
- Re: affordable housing Shava Nerad, August 22 1995
- Re: affordable housing David B. Neeley, August 22 1995
- Re: Re: affordable housing Harry Pasternak, August 23 1995
- Re: affordable housing 'Judith Wisdom, August 24 1995
- affordable housing BERWIN, August 26 1995
- Re: Affordable Housing BPaiss, August 29 1995
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