Cohousing-L Mailing List: Cohousing for chemically sensitive people?

[Bob Morrison (morrison]

  I recently talked with someone who would like to establish a community for
people with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). I won't go into detail on
what MCS is, except that these people are highly sensitive to chemicals, molds,
etc. in food, water, and the environment. They need to live in housing that is
specially designed and built to be free of these contaminants.
  This person got the idea of establishing one or more communities a few 
months ago, and indirectly heard about cohousing from me. This community 
doesn't have to be cohousing, but she is seriously considering it. The site
would probably be in Worcester County, Mass. It would have to be in a non-
urban area free from smog and industrial pollution. 
  I don't think she would have any problem finding enough people to fill
such a community. The challenge, as I see it, is that the environmental
construction would have to go beyond the "non-toxic materials" often speci-
fied for cohousing and this might make the units prohibitively expensive.
There is also the problem that there are architects who are experienced with
cohousing and some that are experienced with chemical-free construction but
probably none who are experienced with both. 
  I think that building communities for these people, whether cohousing or
not, is an excellent idea, and I would like to do what I can to support this
person in making this dream a reality.
  My question is, have any cohousing projects been built or proposed in the
U.S. for people with multiple chemical sensitivities? If so, please tell me 
more.

Bob Morrison

Home: Boxboro, MA               Work: Digital Equipment Corp., Littleton, MA