How will I know if co-housing is a good option for me?

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Co-housing/co-op living is not for everyone, as it requires a higher level of participation and commitment than is common in most communities designed for active adults. Co-housing requires that you engage with and support each other and the community as a whole. It is through this experience of interdependence that you derive the benefits of a co-housing community.

Ask yourself if you would appreciate a greater commitment and connection between you and your neighbors in the next stage of life. Consider if you would enjoy co-creating a life with others and taking charge of your future together.

What is co-housing?

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There are many co-housing communities in the United States, but only a small number of senior co-housing communities in this country, although their numbers are growing. Most co-housing communities are currently financed as condominiums for various reasons. They are also independently managed by the members of the community with no outside management. More than an architectural style, this form of community is also about how people live together to try to achieve a better outcome than living alone. The organization is intentional in that all who choose to live there agree to contribute to the common good, make decisions by consensus, and accept the responsibilities of being a member of a community that works together without the control or interference of outside management.

Co-housing does have its architectural influences or conventions that make such communities unique when compared to conventional housing. The community is usually designed to allow for easy casual interaction, have a guest room(s) or apartment, and a “common house” much larger than typical condo community rooms. The design of the community is a joint effort of the members who will live there along with the developer and architect. The key element here is the involvement by future members early in the design phase. Although building codes, multifamily-type construction and prudent choices to achieve economical solutions dictate much of the building, future residents participate in many design decisions that affect how they will live. This participatory form of design is unique to co-housing and is an integral part of creating a sustainable community. The form of ownership is usually a condominium, but it can be a cooperative. Phoenix Commons will be financed as a cooperative, but it still looks to the co-housing model for its organizational philosophy.

How are homes passed on to children, or handled in estate planning?

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Just as you can sell your home to anyone, you can also pass ownership through estate planning as you would with any other single family home. However, future occupants must meet community age restrictions. Future prices are determined by the market and there are no fees associated with selling the unit from the HOA, except for minor filing fees. The board has certain authority to screen buyers, but also is a valuable resource since it maintains a list of potential buyers and renters. All fair housing laws and any other applicable laws will be observed.

Where can I find out more information about co-housing?

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For more information about co-housing please check out the various organizations listed here.

How much volunteer time is required of community members?

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The proposed HOA for Phoenix Commons is based on 8 hours of volunteer time per week per member (or about 35 hours a month). However the community is free to determine the volunteer time commitment themselves after reviewing community needs and financial priorities.

Volunteer hours are generally devoted to committee meetings, specific duties or responsibilities in the community, once a month cooking rotation at community meals, specialized training sessions, or light physical duties. Members feel good about their volunteer hours because they have the choice to contribute what they like to do or happen to be good at. Phoenix Commons’ community fees are designed to cover a full-time paid cook, maintenance person/emergency driver, and housekeeping staff to do the heavy work.

What if I’m not feeling well, or go out of town and can’t volunteer for a while?

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To accomplish the goals of sustainability & fairness, all who live in the community are asked to contribute a minimum amount of service in accordance with their capabilities.  For times when this is not possible, a community policy will be in place to provide protection against the loss of volunteer hours.  The community is free to establish their own policies; however we can suggest two options.

The first is the “play or pay” policy. For guideline purposes, a $10 per hour value is assigned to each volunteer hour or a maximum of $350 per month.  Resident members are then able to pay a fee in lieu of performing their volunteer duties if they are unable or unavailable to do so.  Alternative policies might be created allowing members to bank a certain number of hours to be used when needed or having others cover the volunteer hours for you.  The bottom line is the community must be able to count on a certain amount of labor to sustain itself within established monthly fees.

Do I have to help with shopping and cooking?

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Community meals are a special feature of co-housing communities and  members are expected to participate in meal preparation when their turn comes up. However, your level of participation in this aspect of community life is up to you and how much you enjoy it.  The community will employ a full-time professional cook to help in preparing and servicing all aspects of community meals.  When it is your turn, you’ll work as a team with the cook and a neighbor or two. The community’s cook will help assure that commercial sanitation procedures are followed and any special dietary needs are met (only limited by community policy).

How does the community make decisions?

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Intentional communities like Phoenix Commons typically have decision making by consensus.  This process helps avoid conflict by assuring that all members have a say and everyone agrees to work towards a mutually agreed upon solution.  While this may take more time and effort at the start of the community building process, in the long run it pays great dividends as the community is co-created to reflect a shared vision. Group consensus process training will be provided to Phoenix Commons’ members as a way to support the community in developing these important skills. Emergency decisions are made by following established community guidelines.

How will the community handle conflicts?

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Members will create a Conflict Resolution Agreement using the consensus process.  We are planning to have this Agreement in place before move-in.  One of the advantages of joining now is that you can have a voice in developing this and other agreements related to community life.

What is shared in common?

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Common facilities are designed for daily use.  They are an integral part of community life and supplement the living areas of the private residences.  The common spaces include a professional kitchen, dining area, living area, bathrooms, atrium garden, fitness/therapy area, decks and patios and community meeting rooms.  There are two additional community spaces that are flexible for use as determined by the members.