Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Affordable co-housing?

[Maggi Rohde (maggi]

Jennifer -- "affordable" is a difficult concept to market.  For one
thing, it has social implications -- and for another, it seems to
mean something specific in numbers in regards to income and median
housing price.  So we try to stay away from it.

Our community will be the third of three in a 20 acre parcel of
land.  Our 42- to 46 units (yes, really) added to Sunward's 37 and
Great Oak's 37 will make a truly astounding multi-community village.
Perhaps because of the timing, or the existing communities, or
something else I can't fathom, we are attracting mostly single
folks.  Some, like me, make less than $40k a year.  In a housing
market like Ann Arbor, where you can't buy a crummy house for under
$200k, the concept "affordable" means we are aiming at several small
1-bedroom units for about $100k.

Now, that's small.  Small means small.  650-750sqft, no greater.
Many people, even singles, may decide that they can't live in a
space that small.. but I say affordable housing has to compromise in
some way.  Either we give up quality, or give up space.  I prefer
the latter.

And, even a $100k home requires a down payment of $10-$20k, which
for many families seems next to impossible.  I agree with Rob's
comment that cohousing in the U.S. is pretty much limited to those
who can afford (through frugal living or making money) to own a
home.

-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-
Maggi Rohde, Library/Media Specialist
Allen Elementary School, Ann Arbor, MI
        maggi [at] intranet.org
-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-
"So much to find out about; so much
 to look forward to! I'm quite
 dizzy with anticipation! ... Or
 is it the wind?"
        - the whale, "Restaurant at
          the End of the Universe"
-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-

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