Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Unit Selection

[Judy Baxter (BAXTER]

Joani wrote:

<In Old Oakland, our situation is different. We are building 20 units and
just acquired our 20th member household. But we don't yet have unit
prices--though we have fairly close estimates--and our design has not yet
been absolutely finalized nor yet approved by the Department of Real
Estate, so we cannot make official reservations. However, we have done some
mock picks with us each stating our first, second and third choices and
lining all these up on a chart by seniority. There are two or three
households near the bottom of the list, who may end up with no unit that
will work for them which they can afford.

Can you help us with suggestions for an equitable unit selection process?
Unfortunately, the limits of our building don't give us as much flexibility
as might be desirable, and we have 10 different unit types among these 20
units. Some in our group think we should have a mock pick and then discuss
as a group which households are willing to take a second or third choice to
accommodate those lower on the list who otherwise won't be able to live
with us.>>

At Monterey Cohousing we had somewhat of a similar situation - the "Big
Building"  had space for  6-9 units according to how we divided up the space,
and people had to be willing to move in before renovation, and live through it,
with different spaces needing more or less work. And we couldn't carry the
project without full occupancy, to be able to build the planned townhouses.  

To be truthful, (it is 5 years ago!!) i have forgotten the details, and we went
through it twice, before and after we "lost and regained" the property.  But
people understood the situation, and some stepped forward to adjust to make the 
dream possible.  I would try some process that encourages adjustments, similar
to your mention of taking 2nd or 3rd choice.  Maybe some people are willing.  I
would not be living where I am (with it's pros and cons) if I had not been
encouraged to change my concept of what would work.  And now, tho there might
be good reasons to switch, i'm very attached.

Judy

Judy Baxter, Monterey Cohousing Community,(MoCoCo) Twin Cities Area, Mpls.,MN
-- e-mail:      baxter [at] epivax.epi.umn.edu
15 homes - 7 new townhomes and 8 coop apartments  in a rehab Georgian building
 built as a retirement home in 1924 - 
Coming up for 5 year anniversary of purchase and 1st moveins. 

 Voice Mail for Monterey Cohousing - 612-930-7554