Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Co housing for the working class

[Robyn Williams (pov]

Hi Rob et al

> Cohousing is based on private home ownership.

That's a new one on me, Rob.  Could you explain it further please?

I believe that cohousing is simply a socio-design concept, to 'build'
community.  Literally.  It may be more straightforward to finance the houses
individually, but it's not a more legitimate form of cohousing.   Again,
I'll draw this list's attention to Pinakarri Community, a cohousing project
that was initiated and primarily developed by low-income tenants who manage
the property co-operatively.  The intention attracted some people with their
own capital.  We ended up with eight 'subsidised' rental, four privately
owned houses, and of course our commonhouse, on site.  We now have three
more neighbouring , privately owned houses, and two neighbouring private
rentals.

I'm currently working with two new low-income rental/private equity groups
for whom the cohousing concept is suitable.  Inspired by Pinakarri's
example, several other rental co-ops in WA are 'converting' to cohousing
style by finding a way to include a commonhouse.  One co-op has recently
converted a rental house into a commonhouse, others are fund-raising.

The low-income rental co-op sector in Western Australia was fortunate to
have had the involvement of an architect who promoted cohousing at its
inception. Why constrain the concept?

> But it takes dedication and work, nobody will do it for you.

It's true.  I suggest that any group which is interested in affordable
rental, attract people who are motivated to be rent paying members.

Warm regards
Robyn Williams
Pinakarri Community
Fremantle, Western Australia
pov [at] iinet.net.au

Co-op Development Officer
Community Housing Coalition WA
Robyn [at] chcwa.com.au



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