Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: The economic realities of Cohousing development

[Sharon Villines (sharonvillines]

> Real estate development excludes people that  have no assets, are not
> mortgagable, and have little drive to succeed. That is the reality. New home
> real estate  development does not happen by magic, it takes money and
> commitment.

It also takes knowledge -- lots of it. In our project, we have several units
that have qualified for every low income allowance going for new homeowners
but they are also well educated people who have chosen less well paid
careers for personal and political reasons. They are getting lots of
financial help from friends and relatives but they are also college educated
and experienced in group process, with well-developed goals achievement
skills. (How's that for a mouth full!)

Another reality is that different socio-economic classes (as much as we hate
that word) have different values and desires when it comes to things like
meals, social activities, discipline, etc. Diversity only stretches so far.
People like to live with people who share their values.

Because we are an urban community we have about every "race" represented,
most of the states, many countries, every sexual orientation I have heard
of, an age range from unborn to 80, BUT unless someone is concealing their
true colors, no Republicans.

In a small group discussion one member asked if we would be comfortable if a
Republican wanted to join. There was silence.

Sharon
-- 
Sharon Villines
In Washington, DC where all roads lead to Casablanca
Takoma Village Cohousing
http://www.takomavillage.org
http://www.cohousing.org