Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Pithy Cohousing Definitions

[Fred H Olson WB0YQM (fholson]

Jeff Hobson, an ex-N Streeter, formerly: JOHOBSON [at] WHEEL.DCN.DAVIS.CA.US
*** new email address **** jhobbit [at] garnet.berkeley.edu    (see .sig)
is the author of the message below but due
to a listserv problem it was posted by the COHOUSING-L sysop (Fred).

Fred's note: Welcome back to active participation on the list, Jeff.
Your sub has now (just after this message) gotten straightened out.
It was good to meet Jeff this summer; who says email reduces in person
contact???

****************  FORWARDED MESSAGE FOLLOWS *********************
As a (former) N Streeter, I feel obliged to point out that constructing the
place is only the first step on a long road.  From everything I've seen the
construction process is very grueling, but it ought not to dominate the
definition of cohousing.

If cohousing is to be fruitful and multiply, it will be because the *living*
in them is so positive.  Of course, my opinion is definitely shaped by the
fact that I had the good fortune to move into N Street when it already
existed as a cohousing community.  Therefore my definition is a bit more
specific on the living:

Jeff's definition:
Cohousing is an intentional neighborhood where people share some meals,
common belongings, and possibly property but retain privacy and some level
of private ownership.  By cooperating to make decisions about their common
living environment, cohousers develop close relations with their neighbors
and develop mutual support networks.

I wrote this message just as the list server went down (8/11) and since then
I've been trying (as yet unsuccessfully) to get home access from my new
account.  So I'm a little out of date, but here it is anyway (I have since
seen Kevin Wolf's definition, and noted the philosophical similarity to the
one I'd written).  My definition isn't short and sweet, but I think the
point about "built" and "living" is essential.

I look forward to other's ideas.

peas,
Jeff Hobson
an ex-N Streeter
*** new email address ****
jhobbit [at] garnet.berkeley.edu

******  NEW ADDRESS etc.  *******
jhobbit [at] garnet.berkeley.edu
42 Plaza Dr.  Berkeley CA 94705-2414
510.595.1012 home, 510.642.6886 school