Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Affordable CoHousing (FWD)

[Fred H Olson WB0YQM (fholson]

HARRY_PASTERNAK [at] TVO.ORG is the author of this message but due
to a listserv problem it was posted by the COHOUSING-L sysop (Fred).
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It is simple to cut the costs of housing-whether the housing is single family
detached, medium or high density, coop or collaborative (cohousing).

A) The inhabitants must design it themselves-they can do it better than
architects.
B) Buy the materials and build themselves OR buy the materials and hire and
supervise the tradespeople.

The savings range between 40% to 70%. Remeber for evry $10,000 saved on
construction costs, you save an additional $12,000 to $20,000 in mortgage
interest. 

Also remember that the operating and maintenance costs ( on a 35 year life
cycle) will equal or exceed the traditional construction costs. However, if
you use the appropriate materials and design - you can cut energy and
maintenance costs by 50% or more. 

If you need more info - you can contact me, Harry_Pasternak [at] tvo.org
I spend my time at the Thousand Islands Institute, Canada's Independent
Centre For Housing Research & Education


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