What is "cohousing" anyways?

Cohousing is an intentional community of private homes clustered around shared space. Each attached or single family home has traditional amenities, including a private kitchen. Shared spaces typically feature a common house, which may include a large kitchen and dining area, laundry, and recreational spaces. Shared outdoor space may include parking, walkways, open space, and gardens. Neighbors also share resources like tools and lawnmowers.

Households have independent incomes and private lives, but neighbors collaboratively plan and manage community activities and shared spaces. The legal structure is typically an HOA, Condo Association, or Housing Cooperative. Community activities feature regularly-scheduled shared meals, meetings, and workdays. Neighbors gather for parties, games, movies, or other events. Cohousing makes it easy to form clubs, carpool, and organize child & elder care.

Check out the pictures below of other cohousing communities:

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Featured video
​about cohousing

VIA PBS NEWSHOUR

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Characteristics of cohousing

designed to facilitate community

The neighborhood design encourages spontaneous interaction and builds community long after move-in. 

participation in the process

Future residents play an integral role in the planning,  design, and organization of the development - this ensures that the physical environment is well suited to each unique community.

common spaces 

There will be a common building that people use as a supplement to their private home: including kitchen and dining facilities, recreational areas, laundry, and a guest house. In addition, communities may share open spaces, workshops, gardens and much more!

self-managed by residents

Cohousing is non-hierarchical and most ​communities reach decisions based on consensus. The neighborhood is self-managed by the residents, through committees

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cohousing is
not a new concept

Cohousing Nationally: 165+ in the U.S.

There are currently 165 established cohousing communities nationally, with nearly that many in the formation stages. It was studied in Denmark and introduced in the 80s to the U.S. by architect team Kathryn McCamant (our consultant) and Charles Durrett.

To see a list of the cohousing communities in the U.S., visit the Cohousing Association's Directory.