affordable cohousing
From: Alan O'Hashi (adoecosyahoo.com)
Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2016 08:37:34 -0800 (PST)
silver sage village has 16 homes of which 10 are market rate and six were built 
for the city of boulder permanently affordable housing program. (i will let you 
look it up on the city of boulder website, rather than explain it.) wild sage 
cohousing across the street partnered with habitat for humanity as well as the 
city affordable program. here are a few random thoughts:

- i suggest you have a serious and frank discussion among yourselves about why 
you personally - as opposed to philosophical - want affordable housing. get 
strong commitments about all being willing to pay more money out of pocket to 
level the field for those who cannot otherwise afford to live there. (partner 
with others rather than tackle affordable housing on your own. even if you do 
find ways to subsidize building costs that doesn't lower monthly hoa costs.)

- the affordable homes are 800sqft and worth $150000 (i live in one of these) 
and limited in appreciation. the   market rate are between 1100 and 2300sqft 
and valued at $500000 and $1000000 and rising. (market rate owners have a 
bigger desire to protect their interests by jacking up reserves and buying more 
/ pricey amenities.) 

- i suggest you build your homes so they are all affordable to people / 
families of similar means. (at silver sage over the years an informal caste 
system arose.)

- i suggest building all your homes of similar size so the homeowner fees are 
more equally distributed. (at silver sage fees range from $450ish to $650ish.)

- i suggest you build enough homes to spread around the fees, see above. (i 
think the sweet spot is around 32.)

- i suggest you design the homes ala 'the not so big house' by sarah susanka to 
encourage residents to use the common house. (at silver sage, the common house 
is used more by the affordable homeowners because our living spaces are 
smaller. we have more use by non-residents who rent it.)

i have more, but this should fuel the conversation.

Alan O'Hashi
Have Camera - Will Travel
BCM  303-910-5782 
WCM 307-245-1910
Typos By iPhone Auto-Correct

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