Cohousing-L Mailing List: eilitism

[Smith & McGowan (mcsmith]

I am responding to the suggestion that Cohousing is elite.  The cost
stated of 300,000 per unit is not pervasive in this movement.  Creek's
Bend Cohousing in Troy, New York will have homes less than $120,000 and
the members are funding an affordable unit.  This includes a 4000 square
foot Common House and many other amenities.  If one can live in 800 to
1000 square feet, i.e. a senior, single or young couple the cost is even
less.  The small units in one of the Amherst communities were 70,000. It
should not be assumed that all parts of the country are sustaining the
costs indicated in the posted question.  We would welcome members who
want to apply for funding to lower the cost of their housing and funding
is a definite possibility if members have the time and energy to fill
out  grant applications and network with the funding sources.  All
things are possible if the members do the labor.  The cost of time and
energy is a concern for everyone.  But as Chuck said at one of our
meetings a few years back.  Time demands diminish enormously once you
have move into your home and have spent a year with the final details of
the construction and landscaping.  This is also not time.  It is being
with friends.  Our meetings, events etc are never boring and sensitively
scheduled with peoples needs.

TONI SMITH, Creek's Bend Cohousing, Troy New York