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Cohousing Overview
by Valerie Mumford
What is cohousing?
Cohousing has been called a return to the best of the small-town community. Creating neighbourhoods that combine the autonomy of private dwellings with the advantages of shared resources and community living. Residents own their own home with all amenities but share in the common areas. The shared facilities and physical design have proven to support and sustain community connection over time.
A history of cohousing
Cohousing concept began in Denmark 40 years ago. The first communities were designed to provide multi-generational housing for people seeking a safe and supportive living environment. Today there are 200 cohousing communities in Denmark alone with 10% of all new multifamily construction being cohousing. In North America there have been over 80 communities competed since 1991 and there are over 130 in various stages of development.
Do you own your own home?
The method of ownership can vary, but it is most common to use the fee-simple strata title ownership structure. In this model each household owns its own home together with a share of the common facilities.
Do cohousing groups have religious or political affiliations?
Generally this is not the case. The goal of most cohousers is to have a community which is diverse in age, background and family type that is sustainable both socially and environmentally. The emphasis is on quality of life. There is no social agenda beyond creating a friendly neighbourhood where people feel accepted and welcomed.
What is Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community?
Pacific Gardens Cohousing community is Nanaimo’s first cohousing project. PGCC is situated on 4.37 acres of land at 347 -7th Street in Nanaimo. The extensive green space includes natural flora and fauna, seasonal pond and heritage apple trees. The property adjoins a park along the salmon-bearing Chase River with wonderful views of Mount Benson. There are 25 strata title units with 1, 2, 3 and 3 bedroom plus den units that accommodate families along with seniors and singles of all ages.
What are common facilities?
At the centre of PGCC there is a common house with an atrium and pedestrian walkway leading to all the units. This space is for all of the residents to enjoy. It includes a large kitchen adjacent to the dining hall in which residents hold community meals and other activities. The common house also includes an exercise room, soundproof music room, craft room, teen and childrens’ playrooms, woodworking shop and guest rooms for visitors. A start has been made on an organic garden, with plans for expansion.
How are decisions made? Residents meet regularly to make consensus-based decisions. This puts everyone on an equal footing, and it is a powerful dynamic for sustaining community. This model has been evolving for more than thirty years, and has been used in the creation and operation of hundreds of successful communities.
How can I get involved with PGCC?
There currently are opportunities to purchase or rent units at Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community. We would be glad to show your around our home. Please call 250-754-3060 or email joinus@pacificgardens.ca to arrange a tour. We also would be delighted to have you at our potluck suppers at 6:00 pm on Thursdays. Just bring a dish of your choice to share, and join us for a convivial evening. If you will be visiting Nanaimo from out of town, please give us some advanced warning. We would be happy to provide you with information about our beautiful little city on Vancouver Island and arrange a tour of our complex that fits in with your itinerary.
Community. What is it?
by Judy Delogne
Is community simply a cluster of houses in the same locality or is it more than that? Gage Canadian Dictionary defines it as a group of people having common ties or interests and living in the same locality or district and subject to the same laws. Is that definition really relevant to today’s neighbourhoods and new developments?
Common interests? How many people ponder what their neighbours’ political leanings, cultural backgrounds, interests or passions are prior to moving to an area? Is there a common bond? Does it ever form part of their decision-making in the purchase of a particular home? While location, house design and price figure prominently in most people’s decision-making, getting to know who will be living next door usually doesn’t.
Most of us are familiar with the real estate mantra location, location, location but has anyone ever stressed, relationships, relationships, relationships when buying a home? What actually becomes more important once you live there? The perfectly manicured home and street, or neighbours with whom you can share experiences – childcare, interests, life’s ups and downs?
While we are sometimes lucky and end up in wonderful, caring neighbourhoods, most modern subdivisions are impersonal and alienating. Developers would have us believe otherwise with their well-researched marketing tactics that imply a deeper experience. Through market studies they are well aware of playing to our need for interconnection, a sense of belonging – community. But do they deliver?
Enter cohousing – community by design – intentional community. No need to get lucky – conscious interaction with ones neighbours is deliberate.
Cohousers build their communities from the ground up, including the design of the physical space and the construction of relationships with those whom they will share that space. It is more about lifestyle than building style – more about neighbours than neighbourhoods. Cohousers plan, own and manage their environments.
The birth of cohousing in Denmark began in the 1960s and migrated to North America in 1988. It is estimated that some 65 communities now exist in North America with hundreds of others in the development stages, including Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community in Nanaimo.
Cohousing communities are composed of privately owned homes and jointly owned extensive common facilities. At the heart of the building is the Common House, which contains, among other things, a large common kitchen and dining facilities. Potlucks and community gatherings take place here, encouraging interaction among neighbours. One cohouser refers to it as the ‘great restaurant in the middle of my neighbourhood.’
While visiting the Windsong Cohousing Community in Langley in June, I noticed the children in the community had just hosted a Fathers Day brunch in the Common House and an Asian Cuisine Evening was planned for the following week. What fun – right in your building! One can, of course, choose to participate or not. What I find exciting are the immense possibilities for sharing, learning and simply having fun with your neighbours.
It doesn’t end there – the Common House at Pacific Gardens boasts additional shared rooms that include a children’s play area, music, exercise, art, teen, and conversation rooms as well as a woodworking shop and guest rooms. Just imagine the potential! Belly dancing lessons, anyone?
Today’s developments tend to cater to a particular sector of society – new suburbia for young families, downtown areas for the single person or working couples, gated or golf communities for the retired. What happened to the rich and colorful fabric of old and young woven together?
Cohousing communities can, and do, offer something for every generation. They are multigenerational and inclusive by definition and offer solutions for the ’sandwich’ generation to live near, but not with, aging parents. Everyone benefits – the young from the wisdom and experiences of the elders – the old from the enthusiasm and energy of the young.
Sustainability, buying locally, anti-consumerism and reducing our impact on the planet are all real concerns. What better way to address these issues than through cohousing? Rather than ten houses on ten lots, why not twenty houses clustered together on several and the rest left natural for the enjoyment of all? Instead of 4000 square feet homes, why not 1000 square feet supplemented by common facilities? Does each household really need that used-once-a-year tool or appliance? Can’t afford something individually? Perhaps common ownership makes it possible. On the west coast, a shared kayak comes to mind.
Cohousing communities tend to keep cars on the periphery, providing safe environments for children to play and leaving space for human activity – walking, gardening and such. Pacific Gardens, for example, will have parking available but members will also have the option to participate in the sharing of a common auto.
Living in cohousing offers a rich environment for people of all ages, endless possibilities for sharing talents and resources, security, social opportunities, and privacy. So, yes communities are much more than a cluster of houses, at least in cohousing communities!
Have you ever wished that you…
- had somebody to watch the baby while you were busy shampooing the dog?
- could go to the gym without driving the gas guzzler or going alone?
- could build that book shelf without having to buy all of the tools?
- had somebody who would bring dinner when you were down with the latest bug?
- could stay home and read while you partner talks politics with the neighbours?
- could walk barefoot to your dance, yoga or t’ai chi session?
- had a place to practise the tuba without disturbing the neighbours?
Then cohousing may be for you!
Pacific Gardens is a safe, environmentally friendly community where neighbours become friends and friends become neighbours. JOIN US!