kohousing

Cohousing, also spelled kohousing in some contexts, is a form of intentional community designed to balance private living with frequent shared spaces and collaborative decision-making. In cohousing, residents typically own or rent private dwellings while collectively managing and using a common house, kitchens, laundry facilities, guest rooms, and outdoor spaces. The goal is to create affordable, sociable, and environmentally sustainable housing through collaboration rather than isolation.

A typical cohousing development combines clustered private homes with a shared, self-managed infrastructure. Residences are arranged to foster contact and mutual support, while common facilities support shared meals, gatherings, and activities. Design often emphasizes accessibility, energy efficiency, and walkable, community-focused neighborhoods. Residents participate in the planning and ongoing governance of the community, contributing to maintenance, finances, and community life.

Governance in cohousing tends to rely on resident involvement and consensus-based decision making, with formal structures such as a resident association or cooperative board. Decisions about budgets, rules, and future updates are made collectively, aiming to balance individual needs with the group’s wellbeing. Cohousing seeks to reduce costs through shared resources and encourage social interaction, care networks, and aging in place within a stable community.

History and spread: the concept originated in Denmark in the 1960s and was popularized in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, with many communities established across Europe, North America, and other regions. Today, cohousing projects vary in size, governance, and financing, but share a core emphasis on private homes connected by shared spaces and cooperative planning. Critics note potential challenges in financing, decision-making pace, and ensuring compatible community norms.