Cohousing originated in Denmark in the early 1970's. This innovative neighborhood design came to the United States in 1988 with the publishing of Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves (Ten Speed Press). Over 114 cohousing neighborhoods are completed in the U.S., including Harmony Village in Golden, Colorado (pictured right). Cohousing offers a promising housing solution to many of today's most challenging social and environmental concerns. These cooperative neighborhoods balance the traditional advantages of private home ownership with the benefits of shared common facilities and ongoing connections with your neighbors.
| This 4-minute trailer highlights a video created by Abraham Paiss & Associates, which can be ordered directly from Mid Atlantic Cohousing. |
Cohousing communities share six common characteristics including: Participatory Process; Designed for Community Interaction; Common Facilities; Resident Management; Consensus Decision-Making; and Independent Income Sources.
Five years ago, Abraham Paiss & Associates founded The Elder Cohousing Network to support a new cohousing model for active adults age 50 and above to “age in community.” We offer a bi-annual Cohousing Development Seminar for multi-generational and age targeted communities. Additional information is available through the Cohousing Association of the U.S..
