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

[Rowenahc (rowenahc]

When we finally got an option on the property we decided that everyone who
had been a member (i.e. come to meemtings, and paid fees for baby sitting,
copying, and other miscellaneous expenses) up to that time and who still
wanted to be a part of the community should have equal standing.  Those who
were willing to put up a first down-payment (about $2500 as I recall) had
their names thrown into a hat and pulled out one at a time to establish
order of choice of units.   The plans were drawn to include a wide variety
of units - studios to four bedroom houses - so as to accomodate all the
exisitng members needs and a guess/hope as to the members we would attract
once the construction was closer.  As new members joined and made their
down-payment they took the next number.

When the plans were finalized and agreed to we had a meeting at which the
member households chose their unit in the order established at the drawing.
In most, if not all, cases there had been discussions going on before hand
between members with similar needs who were likely to want the same units so
that there were few surprises  (although that didn't make the final decision
trauma-free, but that's another story).

Rowenahc
CambridgeCohousing

-----Original Message-----
From: cohousing-l [at] freedom2.mtn.org
[mailto:cohousing-l [at] freedom2.mtn.org]On Behalf Of Raines Cohen
Sent: Saturday, October 28, 2000 2:28 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: unit selection priority?


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.