Being a Cohousing Community

Cohousing communities enable relationships and shared decision-making among neighbours. Decisions are made using the consensus model and are a result of open and inclusive discussions; the building and grounds are maintained, and the community is sustained through the work of our members. All cohousing owners are expected to share in the duties of decision-making, attendance at meetings when possible, and contributing to administration and/or maintenance and upkeep of the building and grounds. Members make decisions about common concerns at regular community meetings that draw on decision-making models—often consensus— reflecting a collaborative approach to living in community. The responsibility for decisions and actions is shared by all community members. The division of labour is based on what each member feels she or he can contribute. Prior to moving in, our members discussed and created policies on such diverse topics as smoking, pets, renting, and building maintenance. This policy-making continues as policies and manuals are renewed. No one person has more power than another, and decisions are made by the full community. We typically meet on the fourth Saturday of each month for 10 months of the year. Across committees, maintenance, gardening, cleaning teams, nightly security checks and more, we actively contribute to the safety, beauty and upkeep of our property and building, and the joy and well-being of our community. As a member noted, “it takes a village” to look after each other in the sense of collectively creating an environment that is safe, mutually supportive, stimulating, and that facilitates creative citizenship.