Cohousing: One Definition
A cooperative living arrangement. In a cohousing community people share tasks such as raising crops and childcare; make decisions by a consensus process; own their own living spaces, but share some common facilities. Examples are dining and meeting halls, wood working shop and tools, perhaps a greenhouse.
Current U.S. Co-Housing Communities
In addition to the diligent planning done by Dan Hurley, we have surveyed the various co-housing communities that exist or are being planned throughout the United States, looking for models that could be used to help organize Ryegate Commons. While some are strictly elder communities, it is clear that we will use an intergenerational model to realize our vision.
Most co-housing incorporates some form of sustainable or "green" construction and development. The vast majority of existing co-housing communities are located in urban or suburban areas, and few are found in rural areas. An even smaller number include a working farm operation, including two such communities located in Vermont. Unfortunately, neither of these communities could be termed affordable.
To date,we have not found a single U.S. co-housing community that combines the four key features that would characterize Ryegate Commons:
• Rurally located
• Operating agricultural enterprise
• Sustainability, including self-provisioning in food and energy
• Affordability
For more information on cohousing: The Cohousing Association of the United States
For more References, Articles, Etc.