Cohousing communities bring together the advantages
of private home and communal life
Cohousing is where a group of people intentionally agree to work together to create a place where they can all live close to one another – independently in their own separate ‘homes’ – but sharing some things as part of the broader community. Cohousing may be made up of standalone houses, townhouses, apartments, and duplexes.
A key part of cohousing developments is that the future community shares in the design of their community.
Cohousing communities usually have a shared ‘common house’ with a kitchen and meeting space that can be used for shared meals, gatherings, activities. There may
be a common library, office, laundry, workshop, music room or even a bookable studio apartment for visitors to stay.
Outdoor spaces are also shared, and may have car-sharing or be car free, have green recreation spaces, BBQ and playgrounds, and shared vegetable gardens, composting and recycling.
What is cohousing?
Sharing common spaces
has many advantages
Socially - Humans are inherently social creatures and research shows we live longer and healthier lives when we are connected to others. However, our cities are built for the car and
for profit and are less likely to be designed to create connection within neighbourhoods.
Environmentally – Sharing facilities offers a way to build smaller and more affordable homes without losing amenity, or energy and cost efficiency. Australian houses have more than doubled in size over the last 60 years and Canberra homes are the biggest in the country at 256.3 sqm. Size matters, it takes more resources to build bigger homes, and it costs more to heat/cool the larger spaces.
Financially – Sharing spaces and assets also distributes the cost of building and using these spaces and assets eg. solar panels, EV charging stations, tools, guest studio. There can also be savings by providing external services or activities onsite eg. yoga, classes, and other activities. Some cohousing developments offer potential owners opportunities to invest from the beginning of the project, allowing them to take on some of the risk developers usually take, while benefitting from a reduced profit margin as well.
What cohousing does not share - Owners and residents enjoy their individual apartments/living spaces and belongings, and can choose what they time, resources, and belongings they want to share with their neighbours. Units owners are free to sell their apartments/units if and when they chose. Cohousing communities are established under a range of legal entities eg. unit title, community title and may be managed through a combination of strata management and resident management mechanisms. Cohousing communities are not generally managed as a commune.
