Living with others isn’t just for college roommates anymore. Collaborative housing is a great option for anyone who wants to live in community — whether young or old, married or single, with or without children. It can be a great option for people seeking a way to save money, but it’s also a great way to make sure your living situation aligns with your values, if community and support are important to you. If you’re wondering whether collaborative housing is right for you, read on to learn more about it.
Collaborative Housing is a good option for you if:
- You want to live in a community of care, whether a big group or a small one
- You are interested in playing a leadership role in managing and designing your own housing space
- You want to live near your friends or family
There are many kinds of collaborative housing. Some examples include:
1. CoHousing
These are projects that allow close, community contact between households. Generally each household is its own dwelling, but there are shared common spaces like kitchens or entertainment centers
2. Co-Living
Co-Living is similar to a dormitory-style housing for adults, with each person renting their own studio apartment and then sharing common spaces like laundry rooms or study areas.
3. Cooperatives
Housing cooperatives can take many forms, like eco-villages, affordable housing and more. What they have in common is that cooperatives are collaborative, democratic organizations where each member has a vote on community decisions.
4. Building groups
In a building group, prospective homeowners come together to design the developments they will occupy, allowing residents to get to know their future neighbors and get a say in how their houses will look.
5. Collaborative retirement
Many people are interested in downsizing after their children are grown and they are done working, and they may choose to move into a retirement village that allows them to get to know other older adults and work together to form a community of care.
These are just a few examples of the types of collaborative housing. There are many ways to live in community, this website will give you some ideas of how to find the right level of cohabitation that might be right for you! Learn more about collaborative housing here.
