Low-cost Cohousing | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Sharon Villines (sharonsharonvillines.com) | |
Date: Sun, 3 May 2020 15:41:05 -0700 (PDT) |
Odd how being required to stay home brings everything in life to a stop. All eyes on the novel virus. I’ve been doing some research on low-cost housing — and certainly options are out there. People are finding new ways to build and strategize about about getting it done. But whenever I being to write about any one option, I come against something basic — what group of potential cohousers will take advantage of this? I’ve talked with developers who are working on plans to build a house to sell for $100. Modular home builders who are willing to work with a community to develop a plan that will meet the needs of low-income households. Developer/community organizers who will work with a neighborhood on retrofit housing. I’ve looked at land trusts that are structured so investors can invest in land and households can invest in housing, building equity for everyone. But first there has to be a group of people. To get to the next step requires a group of people who understand what they need and what they can provide to get a community started and then built. My argument has been that the only way a low-cost cohousing group will be able to form independently of subsidies is if the entire group shares that goal. Low-cost housing is a specific goal. To stay focused, everyone needs to be committed to that goal. First a group and then a plan. Without a core if at least 2-3 households, it is very hard to even discuss the alternatives because there really are so many. Building housing takes time and energy. And commitment. Those who have a commitment to low-cost housing have to find each other. A person for whom market-rate housing is the norm thinks about low-cost housing from the point of view of what can I have to give up? It’s do-without, not build-it. To get low-cost housing built it has to be a winning game. The decisions and research need to focus on what is it we really need that we can afford? It won't happen with people in the room who want all the green building and electrical technology that make them proud to be saving the planet. It becomes a guilt trip. But don’t you want a solar energy and a green roof so we can save the planet? Don’t you care? When that argument enters the room, low cost housing goes out the door. That doesn’t mean low-cost housing has to be technologically stupid. It has to be smart, but smart has to fill the needs of the households. But first we need the households. Sharon ——— Sharon Villines http://sustainablecohousing.org sustainablecohousing [at] groups.io
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Low-cost Cohousing Sharon Villines, May 3 2020
- Re: Low-cost Cohousing Ron Ingram, May 3 2020
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Re: Low-cost Cohousing Brian Bartholomew, May 3 2020
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Re: Low-cost Cohousing Ron Ingram, May 3 2020
- Re: Low-cost Cohousing Brian Bartholomew, May 4 2020
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Re: Low-cost Cohousing Ron Ingram, May 3 2020
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