Frequently Asked Questions

Cohousing

What is Cohousing?

Cohousing communities are collaborative neighborhoods created with a measure of ingenuity. They bring together the value of having private homes, with the benefits of more sustainable living. Residents actively participate in the design and operation of their neighborhoods. They share common facilities and build and maintain good connections with neighbors. Cohousing provides innovative and sustainable answers to today’s environmental and social challenges.

Where and when did cohousing begin?

In the late 1960s, a group of Danish families, dissatisfied with existing urban and suburban living options, decided to create their own resident-developed neighbourhood. This was created as an alternative to traditional housing models.Desiring a community where residents knew their neighbours, and where people would look out for each other, they created “bofoellesskaber” – literally translated as “living communities.” Such communities increased safety, reduced the stresses of child care and cooking, and helped individuals to pursue their own goals while living in a supportive community. In addition, such communities reduced impact on the land and were built in environmentally sensitive and sustainable ways.Cohousing was introduced in North America in the 1980s, by architects Charles Durrett and Katherine McCamant, who coined the term “cohousing” to describe this style of development. There are now more than 14 completed cohousing communities in Canada with another 5 in process and the United States had 150 complete and about 140 in various stages of planning and development.

People in Cohousing

Who lives in cohousing?

Members of the Hapori include many people who have thought about the idea of creating community, long before they ever heard the term “cohousing.” Our members seek to improve their quality of life, and are interested in, and care for, their larger community. Hapori residents think globally and act locally.

Is the cohousing model best for certain family types?

Cohousing is for people who want to live in closer proximity to their neighbours for increased interaction, support, and a sense of belonging. The Hapori community has created a multi-generational community that enables meaningful connection and relationships, allows space for authentic expression, encourages personal growth, and generates a sense of safety and belonging.Families who resonate with this sense of purpose find themselves at home within the Hapori community.

Does Hapori have religious or political affiliations?

We include and welcome those with a variety of beliefs and cultural origins. Our community is diverse in age, background, and family type. Our emphasis is on quality of life, including the nurture of children, youth and elders. Our social agenda is to create a sustainable society where all residents feel accepted and comfortable, through self-growth, honest and empathetic communication, and respect for the land.

Who does well in cohousing?

Someone who doesn’t “need” it. People who are fulfilled and doing well in their lives are more likely to thrive in and contribute to community. Someone with a healthy sense of self. People with emotional maturity and self-esteem, who know what they want and know their strengths and weaknesses, and who are seeking personal growth for themselves, tend to do well in community.Someone who is open to and able to hear other points of view. The aggressive, competent business executive or entrepreneur who instinctively knows best and makes decisions quickly tends to feel frustrated and impatient in community until he or she becomes comfortable with cooperative decision making. Then such a person can thrive in community and contribute a great deal. Someone with a sense of connection to people and an interest in the well-being of others.Obviously a socially confident person who likes people will enjoy community, but people who are shy or natural loners can have difficulty at first. They can be insensitive to other people’s needs and have no idea what’s expected of them. But with enough “high willingness,” such people can use community as a learning opportunity and become fully contributing members. Someone willing to abide by group agreements. Some people fiercely guard their autonomy, find the idea of interdependence with others unsettling, and tend to bristle when asked to do follow rules or perform a task. Again, with enough “high willingness,” such people can move from “I” consciousness to “we” consciousness without losing their sense of self. It feels good to be interdependent with others; however, for some people it takes a certain amount of self-confidence and trust even to try it. Someone willing to speak up.People who are willing to take the initiative, say so when they disagree with others, and ask for what they want, tend to do well. Someone willing to be quiet and listen. People who always know what’s best, or who are dynamic, assertive, and full of ideas, may need to tone down that energy somewhat in group meetings in order to give others the space to speak.

Ownership

Do members own their own homes?

Almost all of our homes are privately owned; 2 are planned rental units. Although the method of ownership in cohousing can vary, it is most common to use the standard condominium title ownership structure. In this model, each household owns its own home, plus a share of the common facilities and spaces. This ownership model is quite simple and straightforward.

What if a community member want to sell his or her home?

As with any other privately owned home, a member who wishes to sell needs to find a buyer. Because of the collaborative nature of cohousing, opportunities exist for promoting cohousing in ways beyond the traditional real estate marketing methods. (There is always a waiting list of  interested buyers!)

How do you balance public and private space?

Members value a balance of privacy as well as social contact. It’s important to members to have their own homes and private space. A unique aspect of cohousing is that the residents participate in a creating a community that reflects their values.The 1997 Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) study entitled “Planning Cohousing” reported:“While the shared amenities are integral to cohousing, some believe privacy is more respected in cohousing communities than elsewhere. The idea of a shared kitchen and dining facilities does not stem from a notion that meals should be communal, but a recognition that sometimes communal meals are desirable and benefit everyone.”There can be more privacy in cohousing because the amenity areas provide meeting places, play areas, guest rooms and work spaces, while the individual dwelling is a place of privacy and retreat. 

Who owns the property?

Each landowner is a member of the legal condominium and owns a ~1000m2 lot on which their houses are built

Who owns the common facilities?

The common facilities are jointly owned by all landowners. They are a hub for activities of residents, and often includes friends and neighbors beyond Hapori in events, meetings, activities, and celebrations.Use of the common facilities strengthens relationships within the cohousing group and beyond.

Community Life

What is a common facility?

Residents of Hapori have access to all of its shared facilities. These include a well equipped kitchen for quantity food production, a dining room, lounge, sauna, parking, and natural swimming pools. In the short future a common guest house and workshop facilities are planned.These shared facilities support and sustain connection by supplementing individual dwellings with shared amenities that were chosen and designed with resident participation.In addition as each Hapori resident is also a resident of the larger Aguila Real Eco-Development the shared Aguila facilities are also available. These include a community room, washrooms, showers and community temazcal.

Do members have to share a kitchen with other members of the community?

Every home is self-sufficient, with its own kitchen. Beyond this, the common house kitchen and dining room allow optional attendance at 3 meals every week, in addition to other shared meals and celebrations.Shared meals are an important aspect of community life for social and practical reasons. These are optional, however, and people always have the choice of eating in their own homes.

What’s expected of members?

Members work together to organize upkeep. Monthly maintenance fees cover ongoing costs, and regular meetings will facilitate the running of the community.

How much time is involved?

There is not a set amount of time although 3 hours a week is customary. Members take part in one or more teams of their choice, that manage finances, facilitate meetings, look after the outdoors and landscaping, maintain and clean the building, and arrange social events. Residents enjoy social gatherings, recognising that the foundation of community is friendship. Regular business meetings and committee meetings are scheduled as needed for member input and decisions.

Is meeting attendance required?

Everyone needn’t attend every meeting. Is is recognized that meetings provide opportunities to work together, define needs, and make dreams come true. Attendance at the meetings is a prerequisite for having a voice in the community. 

Is this like living in a co-op?

In co-ops, the cooperative owns the unit. Members purchase shares and pay housing charges that give them the right to occupy the unit. In cohousing, individual households purchase their own units, or rent from members of the community. 

Is this like living in a dorm?

Not at all. Each private home has its own living, dining and sleeping areas, along with a fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms. 

Is this like living in a gated community?

Cohousing communities are the opposite of gated communities. They are open and welcoming and are connected with the surrounding community. They focus on sustainable living, mutual support and inclusion. At the same time, there are gates, which provide safety and prevent young children from wandering off!

Do I get free day care, elder care, or help if I get sick?

As with other friends and well known neighbours, people help each other in informal ways. Members provide friendship and support in times of need, but are not primary caregivers for others’ needs. Any particular, ongoing care for individuals would be arranged privately.
Lovingly copied and modified from the Vancouver Cohousing Website