Cohousing

Intentionally inclusive communities of different shapes, sizes and styles are appearing all over the world. The purposeful diversity of these communities offers new opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to find welcoming and supportive communities.

In the past when America was primarily an agrarian society, the European Camp Hill Village transplanted very easily into the fertile American soil. In fact, there still exist a small number of these villages around the world, populated substantially by people with developmental disabilities who work the land with the help of caregivers and become productive and appreciated as good neighbors. This lifestyle was built on the foundation of a utopian model of being “in the world but not of it.” Starting in the latter half of the 20th century, that kind of communal living, when modified to fit into an urban society proved to be unattainable and unrealistic. Although it has become impossible to find towns, suburbs, or cities of like-minded individuals who all wanted to live in the same way, there continue to be smaller groups of people who share common interests and values who are looking for ways to live in a more interactive and communal way.

The descriptor of these mindful communities is “cohousing.” The Wikipedia definition says:

“Cohousing is an intentional (click here to view the Wikipedia definition of “intentional”), self-governing, cooperative community where residents live in private homes often clustered around shared space. The term originated in Denmark (click here to read about Denmark) in the late 1960s. Families live in attached or single-family homes with traditional amenities, usually including a private kitchenette. As part of the communal orientation, shared spaces typically feature a common house, which may include a large kitchen and dining area, laundry, and recreational spaces. Shared outdoor space is designed to promote social interactions. Neighbors also often share resources like tools, babysitting and creative skills.

Neighbors collaboratively plan and manage community activities and shared spaces while maintaining their own income and private lives. To promote the common good, cohousing members regularly share meals, attend meetings, and participate in community workdays. As part of cohousing’s social nature, neighbors gather for parties, games, gardening, musical performances, movies, sports, and celebrations. Living in cohousing makes it easy for residents to form clubs, organize child and elder care, share information, and share transportation.”

The Cohousing Association of the United States defines cohousing as an intentional, collaborative neighborhood that combines private homes with shared indoor and outdoor spaces designed to support an active and interdependent community life. Cohousing is not a financial or legal model, but rather a descriptive term that emphasizes the active participation of residents in everything from design to governance.

Typically, cohousing complexes are multi-generational, multi-income, multi-cultural and multi-ability. Their size may range from 30 to 100 families, depending on their location. Some of these entities are owned by the resident family, others may be rented at the prevailing commercial rate or subsidized. Some units can be as small as efficiency units to units that accommodate families with multiple children. Because the residence owners are involved in the design of the cohousing projects, they customize the units to fit the needs of the actual residents, not a hypothetical renter. For example, some may be designed as environmentally conscious or boast a shared business center or art studio, depending on the interests and values of the residents.

Some cohousing units are built on previously undeveloped land or repurposed land in rural or suburban locations. In urban areas, it is not uncommon to find cohousing communities converting and reclaiming abandoned commercial or industrial properties as part of larger urban redevelopment projects. It is difficult today to describe a typical cohousing project. From the perspective of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, cohousing offers them two major opportunities: an alternative to existing housing options and the opportunity for inclusion into a receptive community.

Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families often say their concerns for the future revolve around two goals: permanency in their residential arrangements and inclusion and membership in their community.

In the past, the goal was described as permanent out-of-home placement. The orientation was to locations where caregiving arrangements were available. The quality outcome was viewed as competent care. The system task was to secure placements and coordinate staffing patterns. The system was optimized to resolve crises. The guiding principles were case coordination, adherence to regulations, and securing funding streams.

In the present, families seek more often to promote a sense of belonging, along with personal experience and growth. The focus is on relationships. The quality outcome is viewed as lifelong connection. The system tasks are to secure relationships and connect people in life-sharing patterns. The focus on the future – and the reference point — is the lifespan. The guiding principles are that everyone has a gift that can be shared and that the community has room for all its members. Living with dignity, flexibility and relationships makes a home. It is far more than being taken care of.

If you are looking for the permanence and equity of home ownership within a community that values and everyone including individuals with developmental disabilities and that community is committed to the well-being of all its members, you should investigate cohousing.