The Encyclopedia of Housing

Cohousing

Contributors: Melinda Lyon

Edited by: Andrew T. Carswell
Book Title: The Encyclopedia of Housing
Chapter Title: "Cohousing"
Pub. Date: 2012
Access Date: April 3, 2019
Publishing Company: SAGE Publications, Inc.
City: Thousand Oaks
Print ISBN: 9781412989572
Online ISBN: 9781452218380
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781452218380.n21
Print pages: 56-59
© 2012 SAGE Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This PDF has been generated from SAGE Knowledge. Please note that the pagination of the online
version will vary from the pagination of the print book.
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Cohousing is an intentional, planned community designed by the residents to encourage a collaborative

neighborhood setting. The communities typically include single-family dwellings and/or duplexes centered on
a common, shared facility.

Upon visiting Denmark in 1983, architects Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett observed a unique type of
housing community for which they later coined the term “cohousing.” According to McCamant and Durrett, it
was two Danes, Jan Gudmand-Hoyer and Bodil Graae, who had a vision for a community lifestyle, with equal
responsibility being shared by all members of the community. In 1968, they joined their similar conceptual
housing models to form the foundation for the first community housing project in Denmark. Five years later,
two communities near Copenhagen were built and became the forerunners for today's concept of cohousing.
McCamant and Durrett were instrumental in bringing the Danish cohousing concept to the United States. The
first cohousing neighborhood in the United States was completed in 1991 in Davis, California, which consist-
ed of 26 units on a 2.9-acre site. Today, there are around 120 cohousing neighborhoods in existence in the
United States.

The intention of cohousing is to endorse an attitude of meaningful community awareness. This is achieved
through the mindful design of the neighborhood with the purpose of promoting physical, social, and emotional
well-being. The community itself allows for various levels of involvement in part through the incorporation of a
community house with a common dining room, planned community green spaces, and front facing entrances.
Residents of cohousing live in private residences, allowing for autonomy and privacy. As currently designed,
cohousing communities typically consist of 15 to 25 fully functioning homes. At the same time, residents of
cohousing communities share a common facility that serves multiple purposes such as community meals,
gathering and meeting spaces, and/or guest lodging, which encourages social interaction among the resi-
dents. These common facilities vary according to the requirements specific to each community.

Characteristics of Cohousing
Residents of cohousing generally have varied backgrounds but come together because they share similar
ideals of neighborhood and community. Usually through the efforts of one or two people, potential members
will gather to determine the level of interest in such a neighborhood. Once enough people have shown an
interest in cohousing, the potential members establish the standards that will guide their vision for success.
When common interests are defined, future members begin an organizational process and establish the steps
they will follow in establishing their planned community. During this process, members form teams or commit-
tees to plan and organize in matters they deem necessary for the success of their cohousing community. The
teams are organized relevant to the goals and values each community establishes. Some common goals and
values might be supporting physical, social, and emotional well-being; concern for safety and security; and
promoting sustainability. The goals and values can vary depending on the type of cohousing community, as
well as the locale, whether urban, suburban, or rural.

Ongoing aspects that members of a cohousing community face are problem solving and decision making.
Members reach agreements through consensus. Consensus is achieved through a thorough and respectful
discussion among community members until a decision is reached that is acceptable to all members as best
benefits the goals and values of the community as a whole. There are two alternatives for someone to take
when he or she is not in agreement with a decision. The first choice a person can take is to stand aside, a
process of recording a person's opinion on a matter but not hindering action of the group to move forward on
a decision. The second choice the person can take is to stand in the way, giving a person the ability to block
a decision when they feel the matter at hand is disadvantageous to the community as a whole. The person
who chooses to stand in the way must state his or her reason for stopping the group from moving forward.
When absolutely necessary, a vote may be taken in which an agreed-upon majority is required for any action
to be taken. Though it may at first seem to be a daunting and difficult task, the process of reaching consensus
allows members to build trust in each other and develop strong relationships.
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The process of governance may vary slightly from community to community. However, the general process
follows a similar standard. Every member serves on at least one team. The number and type of teams depend
on the needs of the community given that each community has different goals and values. Each team will
have a point person who rotates with each meeting. The teams will meet on an as-needed basis, depending
on the urgency of the circumstances, but the community as a whole meets on an average of one to two times
a month. The meetings function more efficiently when a predetermined time limit-based agenda is employed.

Potential residents interested in cohousing have largely similar goals regarding their living environment and
thus find they share the characteristics of the six components of cohousing. McCamant and Durrett define
these six characteristics:

1. Participatory process. From the development stage of the process, residents are involved
in planning and designing their community by operating in a participatory manner. The
future residents are involved in all aspects of the project from site selection, project ap-
provals from city or county regulators, through the selection of the architect, and the plan-
ning, design, and nature of the environment.
2. Deliberate neighborhood design. The design of the physical layout is determined by the
residents. The residents’ decisions as to how the environment functions are in line with
the goals and values of the neighborhood and, in particular, to the objective of encourag-
ing community interaction. Making mindful decisions such as the location of the parking
areas, the ease of access of the common house, and the location of the entrances of the
private housing influences how the neighborhood will support open communication
among its members.
3. Extensive common facilities. The common house is planned, managed, and maintained
by the cohousing members. The common house typically includes facilities that supple-
ment the private residences and promote community and social interaction. The common
house serves as an extension of the private residences by offering features such as large
community kitchens and dining rooms, workshops, activity areas, exercise areas, laundry
rooms, and plenty of room for larger gatherings. By having a common house that is
shared equally by all members of the cohousing community, residents are able to live in
homes with a smaller footprint, thereby promoting a more economical lifestyle.
4. Complete resident management. The common house and common grounds are accessi-
ble to all members of the cohousing community. All adult residents of the community are
responsible for the decision making and management of the concerns of the community.
The cohousing members are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the proper-
ty, which is usually done by the residents themselves rather than hiring outside compa-
nies to do the upkeep. Residents meet on a regular basis to discuss important issues and
to determine the best approach to solving problems. Responsibilities are shared equally,
and each member is expected to take an active part through participation and coopera-
tion.
5. Nonhierarchical structure. The decision-making responsibilities are shared among all
adults of the community; therefore, no one person or group of people dominates the de-
cision making. The members volunteer to be on at least one team, and each member is
expected at some time to be a leader for a team. This position commonly rotates with
each meeting, preventing any one person from controlling a team or unduly influencing
the outcome of the issue at hand. The need for a team is determined by the current needs
of the community and will change over time.
6. Separate income sources. The residents do not participate in shared income of the com-
munity. Residents own their individual homes and maintain their independent incomes.
The financial operation of the community functions much like a condominium project.
Homeowner fees or dues for everyday management and maintenance are commonly as-
sessed in most cohousing communities. The financial requirements are determined by
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the residents, being in line with the goals and values of the cohousing community.

Arrangement of a Cohousing Community

To increase interaction among the community members, the individual homes are typically situated with the
front doors facing a common path, courtyard, or greenbelt area with the streets at the backs of the houses.
The fronts of the homes will commonly include a porch or covered patio area large enough for outdoor seat-
ing. Parking is located on the perimeter of the site or in a separate area, so the interior of the housing site is
free from cars, thus allowing pedestrians to feel safe to walk about. This is particularly convenient for com-
munities that have families with small children as well as those with older adults. Community gardens and
outdoor areas for games are common in cohousing communities. Providing and encouraging outdoor activi-
ties promote health and physical well-being.

The common pedestrian paths will easily lead the members to the common house as they pass neighbors’
houses. Often, along these paths, seating areas will be situated at strategic locations to encourage interaction
among members. These physical structures aim at providing security and social interaction and boosting
emotional support.

Members are encouraged to get to know the other members of the community. The common house provides
multiple opportunities for members to gather. The process of planning and ongoing decision making gives
members an opportunity to interact. Common meals are shared at least once, if not several times a week,
in the community dining area. Members who like to cook will take turns cooking meals for any member who
wants to participate. Equipment and tasks are traded among those with special skills or abilities. Lawnmowers
and other equipment are commonly shared, as are tasks such as mowing. These are in turn traded for other
tasks such as oil changes or babysitting. Members will volunteer their services based on their skills, interests,
and hobbies.

Types of Cohousing
As cohousing in the United States becomes more popular, various types of cohousing are being formed. By
targeting specific individuals, communities are attracting those who long for close-knit neighborhoods in which
they can become immersed. Security and safety are always significant elements of cohousing, which is a
noteworthy attraction for any type of cohousing community.

Some communities may form a model specifically for families. In a model such as this, children have freedom
to play in the neighborhood while the parents can feel secure about their safety. Parents can share in carpool-
ing and babysitting, and families can easily interact socially through the intentioned design of the community.
The common house is designed to support family and neighborhood interaction and may include an area for
games or a theater room. These activities serve a dual purpose in that they contribute not only to the inten-
tioned social interaction but also to sustainability efforts through sharing, driving less, and using less.

Senior cohousing, another variety of cohousing, provides a community in which adults over 50 can live an ac-
tive lifestyle while aging in place. Senior cohousing gives older adults an alternative to institutional living, such
as assisted living or congregate care living. Senior cohousing is also an alternative for older residents who do
not want to be dependent on their adult children or other family members who might otherwise be placed in
the role of caregiver. Thus, senior residents can live independently in their own homes with the reassurance
that they will have neighbors on whom they can call if or when the need arises. Individual homes, designed
to be one level to accommodate a ground level entrance, are built to be accessible or to be easily modified
for adaptability when accessibility becomes necessary. The common house serves as the central gathering
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place for social interaction, meetings, and lodging for a caregiver if residents deem it an important factor of
their goals and objectives. Seniors enthusiastically and willingly participate in a community whose members
support and care for each other.

Intergenerational cohousing is yet another type of cohousing that is common in the United States. As the
name implies, this community solicits a diverse group of members among whom differences in age and mar-
ital status are not restricted or discouraged. Young children, teenagers, adults, and older adults interact in
a range of activities. Young children may find surrogate grandparents, while older adults get a ride from a
neighbor to the doctor's office or grocery store. Intergenerational cohousing supports youth activities, as well
as activities for teens, adults, and combined generation community activities. Interaction among all ages pro-
vides an alternative to those longing for the traditional extended family ideal.

Sustainability
By its very nature, cohousing is a sustainable concept. The typical homes have smaller footprints than con-
ventional housing communities do because the extraneous space, for instance, a formal dining room or an
extra guest bedroom, can be found in and shared through the common house. Sustainable and/or green
building materials are often used in the construction of the homes. Recycling is strongly supported in most
cohousing communities. Green roofs and water collection systems are being utilized in more and more co-
housing communities. Ride sharing and carpooling help decrease the individual's carbon footprint. Shared
equipment and tools, common gardens, and mutual activities help decrease each person's overall need to
purchase necessary, but seldom used, items. The community house serves as a gathering place; thus, mem-
bers travel less for entertainment. Some communities are founded on the principles of sustainable living in
which sustain-ability is a lifestyle, not an option.

Leaving a Cohousing Community

Cohousing is not for everyone. For various reasons, people will leave a cohousing community. A person or
family may decide the lifestyle does not suit them. Someone may be transferred to a new location, someone
may die, or life plans may change. A community must plan for the eventual departure of its members. Most
communities have a clause in place whereby the seller of a home must first offer a house to members of the
community. This is what is known as a first right of refusal. First right of refusal allows members of the co-
housing community to have the chance to buy the home before it is offered on the open housing market. If no
one in the community wishes to buy the property, the home may then be listed on the open market. There is
a risk involved in that a person not currently living in the cohousing community but who is interested in buying
the home may not understand the daily structure of cohousing. In order to safeguard the ideals of the com-
munity, it is important for the seller to inform the buyer or the buyer's agent about the process of cohousing
and particularly about the goals and values of the individual community under interest.

Criticisms of Cohousing
While some of the most common complaints about cohousing revolve around the issue of the resale of
homes, other complaints have surfaced. Cohousing has come under fire for encouraging the creation of an
exclusive community. Meanwhile, strong proponents of cohousing will disagree based on the premise that
cohousing is an intentionally planned community open to anyone who subscribes to the goals and values of
the community.

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Another criticism of cohousing is the issue that some members contribute more than others. As mentioned
earlier, participation in activities is voluntary. Some residents who choose to live in cohousing have early in-
tentions of actively participating in the daily matters of the neighborhood. However, they may find their time is
limited and are unable to give as much time as they had initially intended. Although criticism of cohousing is
not common, some criticism will exist.

Conclusion
Cohousing is an alternative housing option for people willing to invest in the ideals established by the commu-
nity. It offers various solutions to people looking for a purposive lifestyle. While cohousing has an overarching
general model, specific types of communities offer various options to those with similar interests. One of the
most appealing attractions of cohousing is the old-fashioned sense of community that it offers. The philosophy
is woven into the intentional design to support the physical, social, and emotional well-being of the members.
For instance, physical well-being is supported by encouraging the development and use of walking trails and
common gardens. Because the very nature of cohousing is to encourage and support social interaction, so-
cial well-being is highly supported. Whether a person is an extrovert or introvert or somewhere in between,
plenty of opportunities are available for various levels of social interaction. Emotional well-being is supported
by the interaction of neighbors. Knowing your neighbor, not only next door but also five or six doors down,
gives one a sense of belonging. These three levels of well-being are all highly intertwined and contribute to
the increasing popularity of cohousing in the United States.

• cohousing
• house of commons
• community housing
• neighborhoods
• dining rooms
• community design
• carpooling

Melinda Lyon
http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781452218380.n21
See also

• Community-Based Housing
• Cultural Aspects
• Green Building
• Participatory Design and Planning

Further Readings

Durrett, C. (2009). Senior cohousing handbook: A community approach to independent living (2nd ed.). Gabri-
ola Island, British Columbia, Canada: New Society Press.
Lyon, M., Kang, M., Gregory, D., & Peek, G. (2011). Senior cohousing [Fact sheet]. Retrieved from http://os-
ufacts.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-7445/T-5142.pdf
McCamant, K., & Durrett, C. (1994). Cohousing: A contemporary approach to housing ourselves. Berkeley,
CA: Ten Speed Press.
Websites
Cohousing Association of the United States. http://www.cohousing.orgOakcreek Cohousing Community, Still-
water, Oklahoma. http://www.stillwaterseniorcohousing.com
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