Cohousing-L Mailing List: RE: Affordable housing models

[Rob Sandelin (floriferous]

I would point to Vashon Cohousing, in Washington State as a viable and
reproducible model for creating some affordable (subsidized) housing within
a cohousing group. Members of this group partnered with a local affordable
housing non-profit (Vashon household) and the two groups worked together to
place applicants in the process. Since it took about two years to get the
grants, those that did not have the real interest or commitment to cohousing
washed out, leaving behind those that did, some of whom had been interested
in the project before but had to drop out over costs. The tricky part was in
income qualifications, applicants had to make enough money, but not too
much, a somewhat narrow window. The housing non-profit got the grants, the
cohousing group got the affordable homes (4-5 I think) which were somewhat
smaller than other homes but very nice.

This model of partnering early with a local affordable housing non-profit
could be done in other places I think. The key is the word, early. In our
area it takes 18-24 months to get block grant funds for affordable housing.
It also requires clear communications, in writing and orally, to prospective
affordable housing prospects, about life in cohousing, its expectation etc.
And you need to involve prospects early and keep outreaching to them if they
flounder in the group process stuff.

More info could probably be found from Vashon Cohousing.

Rob Sandelin


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