Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Affordability w/small homes?

[Rose M Brandt (rmbrandt]

While affordable housing is a consideration to meet the needs of some
individuals, it can also be a conscious choice. The philosophy underlying
affordable housing is similar to what I've seen expressed in many of the
postings on this cohousing discussion list, but it comes at issues from a
different angle. It's like looking at the same issues but through a
different lens. 

For example, central to much of the discussion on this list has been the
idea of going green. As I understand it, part of the philosophy of going
green is leaving a smaller footprint on the planet. The cohousing model
that interests me is building a community upon existing housing stock and
entering the existing community gently. I think this is another option
for leaving a smaller footprint. 

The individuals who I'm in discussion with all come from the non-profit
sector, education, the arts, etc., so all housing would need to be
"affordable." One reason that this appeals to me is because everyone
would equal, paying the full share. Also, it's not just our only option,
it's our option of choice based on lifestyle decisions we have made. 

Rose 
 
On Fri, 16 Mar 2007 14:13:54 -0700 Marganne <marganne [at] macnexus.org>
writes:
> April said:
> >I have been considering how to phrase this question for over a 
> month 
> >now.  I've decided to just be blunt and hope I won't offend 
> anyone.
> >Are there any cohousing communities that are really affordable?
> 
> Ever notice how, on mailing lists, someone posts on the very topic 
> you've been considering bringing up? I really have to thank April 
> for 
> 'priming the pump' on this one.
> 
> I'm looking for a housing solution for myself. Cohousing is very 
> attractive to me. I've been reading about cohousing for several 
> years 
> and recently joined a mailing list for people into small homes (less 
> 
> than 1,000 square feet). (The Small House Society
> http://www.resourcesforlife.com/groups/smallhousesociety/resources.htm 
> )
> 
> Because I live on a fixed income and do not qualify for most housing 
> 
> assistance programs, I can't afford any of the 'affordable' 
> cohousing 
> options. Based on my research on the small home list, I CAN afford 
> to 
> buy land and pay all building costs for well under $100,000 total.
> 
> I am willing to simplify my life, get creative, and live in about 
> 500 
> square feet of well designed, energy efficient (green) home. Some 
> people live very well in less than that amount.
> 
> 
> 
> Can this scale of affordable housing be combined with cohousing in 
> some successful manner? I've struggled over how to ask this list 
> about this notion.
> 
> Some people cringe at the thought of living in a small home. One of 
> 
> the most difficult things people think they have with 'living small' 
> 
> is not having enough space. People tend to 'live large' in the 
> United 
> States. This list has discussed how many square feet a person needs 
> 
> to be comfortable and how it varies. It is very subjective. It's 
> allot like people discounting cohousing because they don't believe 
> in 
> living with others by consensus can be successful for them.
> 
> I'd love to bring all the people from the small houses mailing list 
> 
> together with all of you so everyone could answer everyone else's 
> questions. (Would make my job easier.)
> 
> What I'm asking is:
> --Are there existing or formulating cohousing projects that use the 
> 
> small home concept?
> --Are there people like me who would consider cohousing in a project 
> 
> with smaller homes that cost less to build?
> 
> Due to my circumstances, I'd like to find some sort of 'community' 
> where I could live actively now and possibly for the remainder of my 
> 
> life. I feel certain there are many other people like me -- with 
> very 
> little or no family -- who like the idea of creating a family by 
> choice.
> 
> Is it possible to find/start a project like this? Here I go throwing 
> 
> my ideas into the virtual universe to see what happens. :-)
> 
> Cheers!
> Marganne
> 
> P.S. Thank you again, April, for bringing this up.
> _________________________________________________________________
> Cohousing-L mailing list -- Unsubscribe, archives and other info at: 
> 
> http://www.cohousing.org/cohousing-L/
> 
> 
> 
>