Cohousing-L Mailing List: Cohousing outreach lesson for the day: Be reachable

[Karen Kudia (kkudia]

Sharon:

I agree a very strong prohibiting factor is the cost. With the recession, 
property values have fallen and it is hard to sell. Many find a co-housing 
home >$300,000 rather limiting if not impossible. I know there are some 
co-housing that subsides but usually for local people and there are few of 
them. Catch 22. For example, does anyone know of any co-housing that is less 
$300,000 urban or rural? Wonder if Habitat for Humanity might enter the 
co-housing arena? Offering affordable housing. Anyone approach them? Can't 
you just see co-housing /habitat humanity in Tampa; revolutionary isn't it.

Karen D. Kudia
Anthony, Florida


> On Jan 5, 2010, at 3:05 AM, Raines Cohen wrote:
>
> > So many communities I visit fail to update their websites or points of
> > contact once the units are sold or they move in.
>
> And even before units are sold!!! The website is your most important
> point of referral. Even people who contact you directly will refer to
> your website later. It becomes more important everyday. it's your
> public face.
>
> Please remember that people do not know where you are. Put an address
> on it -- including the _state_.
>
> > * Focus on People, Not Property
>
> This is my standard response to this phrase but since it has appeared
> again, I'll respond again. I understand the sentiment and intention
> behind the focus on people and not property, but for those with few
> options, housing is a primary need. Reducing a concern for housing to
> "property," misses their needs as people.. The biggest word in
> "cohousing" is HOUSING.
>
> Busy single parents on limited budgets with kids in tow need the
> promise of a house/apt before even beginning to talk about playgrounds
> and meals. You can potluck your hearts out but if they don't have the
> $20,000 you need them to put down or the means to support a $300,000
> mortgage, they don't want to waste their time.
>
> So please tell people what they need to know and don't shut them out
> because they insist on knowing about sizes and costs before they will
> come to an orientation or talk face-to-face. They don't want their
> hearts broken while you go on about people.
>
> A rant, but we who are fortunate forget about this in our desire to
> focus on the wonders of cohousing -- for those who can afford it.
>
> Sharon
> ----
> Sharon Villines
> Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
> http://www.takomavillage.org
>
>
>
>
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