Cohousing-L Mailing List: the concept of cohousing v. actual cohousing

[Kristen Simmons (simmonskristen]

RE affordability, financing and cohousing fees discussions

"...the issue is how these requirements affect the concept of cohousing, and
thus all cohousing communities..."

This may be the issue for some folks on the list. For me personally, the
issue is how can my community begin and complete construction. I am more
interested in real life examples of what has and/or hasn't worked, than in
conceptual and/or theoretical discussions. I value conceptual discussions
and have spent plenty of time parsing language, but at the moment, the
challenge of "getting it built" is actually really challenging.

I imagine that built cohousing communities are not exempt from the
foreclosure and/or employment issues that the country is experiencing as a
whole. This is definitely the case in my forming group. Within my group, one
equity member had to step down because job loss meant that she couldn't make
a capital call. Others, especially those who own homes are waiting to see
what will happen in the housing market. Of course, members and money are
needed to go forward with the project. If people wait too long, the project
won't happen.

I'm not sure what my point is now. :-) Perhaps that I am frustrated with
conceptual discussions when I am experiencing real challenges? That I'm
looking for ways to make whatever constraints local government and/or banks
place on my group work for a cohousing community? Stories of how other,
older coho communities were able to develop in a recession?

Enough from me. I hope that everyone has a sunny (and snow-free) day.

Warmly,
Kristen