Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: unit selection priority?

[Becky Schaller (bschaller]

Here at Sonora Cohousing, we used seniority in selection.  Before we had
land, it was one of the main incentives given as to why it would be
advantageous to put down some big bucks so early in the game.   The location
of some houses would be much more desirable than the locations of other
houses.  As it turned out, our developer put a premium on all of the houses.
So if you chose a favored location, you also paid more for that house.  We
still chose on the basis of seniority. But the advantage of seniority had
lessened considerably.  However, there has been some  changing around to
accommodate the needs of people who joined later.  However, no one was
forced to move.  

Another thing to consider is that in the time it takes to build your
community, people's needs change.   Some people drop out, some households
change in size.  So there is  some unit changes that happens naturally over
the course of time.  So while one unit size may be unavailable at the
beginning of construction, that same unit size may be the last one available
to purchase.

Becky



> Could I get some feedback from communities on factors you used in unit
> selection precedence: strict seniority in order of membership in the
> group, or other elements, for instance to acheive diversity in some
> respect? Advice on same, legal aspects?
> 
> This is for East Bay Coho. The group is adopting a policy related to
> seniority and I'm interested in hearing examples of groups using factors
> other than seniority in selection to see if this group should
> 
> Please reply to the list, not directly to me, so other members can see
> responses before a meeting this Wednesday.
> 
> Raines
> 
> Raines Cohen <coho-L [at] raines.com> <http://www.swansway.com/>
> Finally living in community -- worth the wait!
> 
> Member, Old Oakland [CA] Cohousing at Swan's Market
> Where we're preparing for a potluck with our neighbors.
> 
> Member, East Bay Cohousing [no site yet] <http://www.ebcoho.org/>
> Which has engaged the CoHoCo for site evaluation/predevelopment svcs.
> 
> 
>