What is Cohousing?
Cohousing is a form of Intentional Community, which is characterised by its residents getting directly involved in the design, planning, building and management of their community. The movement has its origins in Europe in the 1960-70s and the USA from the 1980s. In the UK it has some parallels with the co-operative housing movement and more recently, Community Land Trusts.
- Groups tend to be around 20-25 households, although larger or smaller groups are possible.
- A commonhouse is usually at the core of the community and usually incorporates a shared dining and cooking area where group meals and entertainment can be enjoyed, as well as other shared facilities, which might include workshop, laundry, office, meeting rooms, play rooms. Often the commonhouse can be open to the wider community.
- Other shared facilities commonly include shared open space and often growing spaces.
More information can be found at the Cohousing Network.
