Cohousing-L Mailing List: Kingston Ontario- New Neighborhood

[Harry Pasternak (Harry_Pasternak]

An intentional social networking neighborhood (also called a collaborative or
cohousing neighborhood) will be built in Kingston, Ontario Canada. 
Here is a frame of reference for this neighborhood, for people who may be
interested in being one of the neighbors:
- The neighborhood (that is the homes and shared spaces and buildings) will
be designed by the neighbors.
- The construction will be managed by neighbors .
- All or some of the construction may be done by the neighbors (sweaty
equity).
- The density will be 8 units per acre, with a maximum of 24 units.
- The cost per 1500 sq. ft. home home will not exceed $80,000. ($62,000 US
funds) if constructed conventionally-that is using hired tradespeople. The
above figure includes the cost of shared spaces and facilities. If totally
constructed by volunteer labor (sweat equity) the cost per home would be
approximately $50,000 ($38,000 US funds). As a result, the homes will be
affordable for people with low as well as medium and upper incomes. For
example, if sweaty equity is used- 5% down payment of %50,000 is $2500 ($1900
US funds), with an approximate weekly  mortgage payment of $114 ($90 US
funds). 
- The total annual energy costs per home would be approximately $200.
Includes heating, lighting, fridge, cooking, tv's etc.
- The materials chosen will have a low embodied cost as well as low maintence
costs.
- The timeline will be one month for design, one month for tendering
materials, permits etc. and two months for the construction. The first get
together for potential neighborbors will be early August at the Windmill Cafe
in Kingston. The focus in the first month will be on designing homes and a
neighborhood that inherently promotes social networking. The expectation is
that meetings to plan social events to further enhance social networking will
occur spontaneously after the neighbors move into the homes.
 
If you are interested in becoming one of the neighbors or know someone else
who may be interested, send an email to  Harry_Pasternak [at] tvo.org,Internet .

Harry

- sent via an evaluation copy of BulkRate (unregistered).