Cohousing-L Mailing List: Getting HUD to accept cohousing [was:Something Magical Happened...

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

Raines Cohen's work on this was the sign of a true community organizer. He 

1. organized petition campaign as tangible evidence of support, 

2. reached out to contacts from previous campaigns and conferences, 

3. met with the agency leaders rather than arguing with the local office of 
people who think they are following rules,

4. will follow up to see that the promises are kept

5. will use this victory to reach others.

6. Will write it up in detail to document the campaign so others can learn from 
it.

This is the kind of activity that cohousing needs in a lot of areas. Bank 
mortgages, zoning restrictions, legal impediments of all kinds. Never say 
never. 

A major area in which people need help right now is affordable cohousing. Many 
of our first residents would not be living here now if we hadn't had the 
advantage of DC sponsored mortgage rates, rebates for first time homeowners, 
and tax exemptions for low income homeowners. 

The solution posted a few weeks ago of tiny houses clustered around a CH that 
also serve unique needs like showers is one that would not be possible in many 
areas. Not because the neighbors would object because often there are no 
neighbors, but because the zoning board is uncomfortable. We need flashy 
brochures of information in the language spoken by zoning boards.

I guess my way of congratulating Raines is saying "Why don't you take this on 
too" and  asking others to follow his example.

Sharon
----
Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org