Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: affordable cohousing

[mira Danyel brisk (mirabepeace]

Alan,
Thank you for this post.  This is very detailed and more specifics on why
and what can work and not work than I have heard before.

I wonder how common the 'informal caste system' due to varied
social-economic situations of the members is among communities?  Any
others' can speak to that?

It honestly makes sense. As much as people like to speak about 'diversity',
the reality is its not easy and would take a lot of concerted / deliberate
effort  / desire to make it work between people of many diverse situations.
  I'm in no way implying its not worth it or important, but the reality of
our living situations is that we tend to socialize with those we can more
closely relate to.  I don't see why that would change in cohousing unless
the point was made from the beginning to make it different.

Is that your experience?  Thanks!


Peace,
*Mira Danyel Brisk*
*Move With Spirit!*
*704-293-0412*

*Cohousing Charlotte & Coho/US*




On Mon, Feb 22, 2016 at 11:37 AM, Alan O'Hashi via Cohousing-L <
cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org> wrote:

>
> 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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