At, A Fairer Society and ReThink Community, we’re leading the charge in this transformation. By introducing innovative concepts like co-housing and alternative HMO models, we’re reimagining what it means to live in a community. In this blog, I’ll share my thoughts on how these new approaches are reshaping the property landscape.

Read or watch when I caught up with David Price on the True Life Business Show…

What is Co-Housing?

Co-housing is not just a housing model; it’s a movement towards intentional living. Unlike traditional housing, co-housing communities are designed and managed by the residents themselves, with a strong focus on sustainability, shared resources, and communal living.

Co-housing typically involves a group of like-minded individuals coming together to create a living environment that fosters connection and mutual support. These communities often feature smaller private homes with larger shared spaces, where collaboration takes precedence over isolation.

And Co-Living?

The Urban Twist

While co-housing is centred around intentional communities building and owning their community, co-living brings this concept into the urban rental market, making it accessible to a wider audience. Co-living is a response to the challenges of urbanisation, such as the high cost of living, cost of housing and the increasing sense of disconnect.

There’s a saying… Lonely in a city of millions and this has been truer than today.

Co-living spaces typically offer smaller private rooms with extensive shared amenities like kitchens, lounges, and recreational areas. This model particularly appeals to young professionals who prioritise affordability and community over traditional notions of ownership.

The Key Differences Between Co-Housing and Co-Living

Though co-housing and co-living share similarities, they are distinct in their execution. Co-housing communities are often self-managed and deeply rooted in shared values, while co-living spaces are usually developer-driven, catering to individuals seeking convenience and a sense of community within an urban environment. In my view, co-housing is about a collective vision, while co-living is more about making urban living more accessible and less isolating.

Alternative HMO Models: A New Approach to Shared Living

One of the most exciting innovations we’re introducing is the concept of alternative HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) models. Traditional HMOs often lack a sense of community and can prioritise profit over people. Our vision is to change that by incorporating cooperative principles into the HMO framework. In these alternative models, tenants are encouraged to take ownership of their living space—not in a financial sense, but through governance and day-to-day management. This approach fosters a sense of belonging and responsibility, which is often missing in conventional rental arrangements.

Creating Intentional Communities in Urban Spaces

A key aspect of our strategy is the creation of intentional communities within urban co-living spaces. This involves carefully selecting tenants who share similar values and lifestyles, ensuring that the community is cohesive and supportive. The process begins even before the tenants move in, as we facilitate introductions and help potential housemates align their expectations and living styles. By doing so, we aim to eliminate the anonymity and disconnect that often plague traditional HMOs.

Benefits for Property Investors

For property investors, our alternative HMO model offers a unique opportunity. By adopting this community-focused approach, investors can reduce void periods, as tenants are more likely to stay longer in an environment where they feel connected and valued. Additionally, the cooperative model reduces the burden on landlords, as tenants take on more responsibility for the upkeep and management of the property. This creates a win-win situation where both landlords and tenants benefit from a more sustainable and harmonious living arrangement.

The Future of Co-Living and Intentional Communities

As urbanisation continues to shape our living environments, the demand for innovative housing solutions will only grow. Our vision for co-living and alternative HMO models represents a significant shift towards more humane and sustainable living arrangements. By prioritising community, intentionality, and shared responsibility, we are not only addressing the housing challenges of today but also paving the way for a future where urban living can be both affordable and fulfilling.

Conclusion

At A Fairer Society and ReThink Community, our work is a testament to the power of reimagining traditional systems. As we look to the future, it’s clear that concepts like co-housing and co-living will play a crucial role in creating more connected and sustainable communities. We invite you to join us in this co-living revolution and help shape the future of urban living.

Join our community!

Click here to check out our Co-Living projects and get involved

Help to spread the word about Better Places to Work. Follow, like and share our mission across social media.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• YouTube

The post Co-Living: How We’re Transforming the HMO Landscape appeared first on A Fairer Society.

Getting your mind, attitude and outlook aligned so you can immerse yourself in an approach that most people will tell you won’t work or is too hard is why we created the ReThink Community.

Believe us. It’s not impossible. That is what this blog lays out for you, it delves inside the community and what you’ll get out of it so you can be 100% in or out…

The community to help create “Your Community”

We have a tried and tested process of bringing together people interested in cohousing, a resident-led intentional community. 

When you arrive at joining, there will likely be doubts about how to make it. That’s natural. The house-building process is a minefield of complexity, and one you won’t want to approach alone. We break it down. We will help you explore what you need to know in the correct order, and the time saved by doing this will be one of the most valuable decisions of your life. 

You might even decide all this is not for you and go and buy/rent another home. That is priceless.

One step at a time, starts with you.

First thing first, you have to spend time on yourself. You have to explore yourself, then your household and the lives you currently live and compare them to how it could be if you got what you wanted or needed. 

Sounds easy! But it’s not, because what questions do you ask yourself? What problems are you experiencing that can be changed or made better? 

Let’s find the others that think like you

Once you’ve spent time looking at the problems and solutions out there, you have to be sure you find others in the same boat as you. 

The strength drawn from those like you will help you to keep going and support one another in some of the more wobbly phases when creating, building and owning homes together. 

Think of these steps like a dating service. First, we bring you together for the first date by profiling your wants, needs and purpose. Then, by providing places to meet and get to know each other, you can work out whether you go on the second and third dates! Then you might start a relationship. 

In terms of what we do, we know it will cut out time-wasting and even more so getting to an advanced stage and realising the people around you aren’t the right fit.

So, why join the ReThink Community? What will you get?

• A feeling of togetherness, it’s essential to be connected and more than just an online community; we support and help members create in-person meet-ups.
• Q&A sessions with the experts who bring our process to life, the professionals. Those who design, plan and build a sustainable living solution with a foundation in One Planet Living principles.
• We lead live workshops and training for you as a member to support you in creating your community. 
• Added value content + resources, like legal, financial and marketing support. Proven solutions that aren’t conventional but much more human. They exist. You don’t know it yet.
• Mini Courses, checklists and worksheets help simplify your journey and achieve your goals more quickly. But most importantly will help you connect and engage with others in the Community.
• Once you’ve joined, we help you create your blueprint for your home, including location, which starts fueling our land search.
• And the cherry on the cake — Exclusive access to land opportunities. Without this, the rest is a fruitless exercise and will drain away energy.

You have access to a private online Community where you and we can share stories and inspire each other’s journey. When we take care of ourselves first, everything else falls into place effortlessly! 

So if you’re looking for a safe place where like-minded people can connect & learn together, then this is it.

Online & In person

Online Community is everywhere now, and we spend a lot of time in groups on social media or other virtual spaces with people who share our likes and interests. 

But in-person meet-ups also work well; they are crucial to your success in working out who you would or wouldn’t want to live with in the future! The meet-ups allow strong bonds to be formed.

We also work with a network of community organisations to help you find locations to meet and local ambassadors who support the meet-ups to run smoothly. They can be as formal or informal as you like.

Live Q&A sessions

Live Q&A sessions are a great way to connect with experts in the field and learn more about their work. You’ll get inspired by the professionals who can make all this a reality. They also dream of creating resident-led communities. They are tired of the same old churned out. You are their energy. You can submit questions before, during, or after the event. 

These regular rituals will highlight and go through the ten principles of One Planet Living, showing real-life solutions in action.

Co-Create- community workshops

These sessions focus on the principles of Community and how you want yours to look, feel and operate. There are many working parts to bringing a group of people together. We will address these from our own experiences and those living this way. 

Here’s how:

• Participation is essential, but you can only truly participate if your voice is heard and taken seriously. We show you how and provide the tools and expertise to learn and implement this approach. This means you make decisions together and therefore don’t waste time.

• It’s essential to know and understand how to run your meetings. As a part of the ongoing learning, we support anyone who wants the opportunity to get experience by facilitating some of the sessions, We’re there to support this and co-facilitate. 

Why might this community not be for you?

If you’re actually quite happy where you live and how you live, then it’s unlikely you’ll get much from the community. 

You don’t like challenging yourself or changing much, if it sounds like too much effort it’s not for you.

You’re prepared to put up with what you have as you feel like it would be hard work, you certainly need to commit to doing something, we take away the tough tasks and professional work, but you still need to show up. So if that’s too much, you won’t get anything from the community.

Join our community!

The mainstay of any online community is a place where you can share your story and learn new ideas from the comfort of your own home or while you’re on the move.  Our community spaces have both access via desktop or mobile browsers and an app.

Everything we’ve discussed starts with a free online community. This can rise to £15 a month if you choose to learn and get access to the professional support needed to bring these projects to life.

If you go a bit further, then there are other costs associated with designing and building homes – but we deal with all of this in the ReThink Community. We also have opportunities for those looking at co-living – an alternative to HMOs.

We work hard on helping those conversations flow with simple guidelines so you know what to post about and how to engage and find your people, and we’re there every step of the way. 

We promise to be present, engage and support every step of the way. We are a community of people who are passionate about learning and doing. We have a track record of helping people learn new things. 

1. Learn more about yourself through our Better Places to Live Quiz. 
2. Then, complete one of our upcoming Bootcamps or Challenges and consume some of our blogs before you jump in. 
3. We’ve also got a Buyer’s Guide, which contrasts and compares how you can achieve this resident-led approach to house building, so no stone is left unturned.

If you do all this, we can be sure you’ll hit the ground running and be ready to take action when that perfect piece of land surfaces.

The foundation to real success in the quickest time possible is your mindset and belief there is another way.

So be in the game, contribute to making this happen, and start now!

Join the ReThink Community now

Help to spread the word about Better Places to Work. Follow, like and share our mission across social media.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• YouTube

The post Everything you need to know about our ReThink Community appeared first on A Fairer Society.

The challenges we all face…

As a cohousing developer, we deeply understand the challenges and opportunities that cohousing can bring, and we firmly believe in the value and benefits it offers in enabling eco housing. Cohousing, for those unfamiliar, is a housing model where residents actively participate in the design and operation of their community, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared responsibility.

Eco housing, in the context of cohousing, presents a powerful solution to the rising cost of living and helps us become more eco-conscious in several key ways:

Shared Resources, Shared Costs:

By pooling resources and sharing the expenses associated with maintaining an eco-friendly community, the financial burden on individuals can be significantly reduced. Cohousing allows residents to benefit from collective buying power, making sustainable technologies and materials more accessible.

Sustainable Design & Infrastructure:

Cohousing communities emphasize eco-friendly building practices, such as energy-efficient construction, renewable energy sources, rainwater harvesting, and green spaces. These measures not only lower utility bills but also contribute to a reduced carbon footprint.

Community Knowledge and Support:

Living in a cohousing community provides a rich environment for knowledge exchange. Residents can learn from each other, share best practices, and collaborate on sustainable initiatives, amplifying the collective impact on the environment.

Reduced Commuting & Transportation:

Cohousing developments are often strategically located near essential amenities and public transportation, encouraging residents to minimize their reliance on personal vehicles. This translates to lower carbon emissions and a reduced environmental footprint.

Eco-Conscious Lifestyle

Cohousing promotes a lifestyle that is centered around shared values, including sustainability and environmental responsibility. When residents are actively engaged in creating a greener community, they are more likely to adopt eco-conscious habits in their daily lives.

Our Vision at A Fairer Society: Building Sustainable Communities

At A Fairer Society, we are dedicated to empowering individuals who strive to tread lightly on the planet. By harnessing the power of a community approach, we aim to create cohousing developments that prioritize sustainability, foster a sense of belonging, and inspire positive change in the way we live.

Our services not only focus on designing and developing eco housing projects but also on nurturing a strong sense of community. We believe that by bringing people together, we can amplify the impact of their collective efforts and create a brighter, greener future for all.

If you are someone who shares our vision of a sustainable world and yearns to be part of a community that actively works towards that goal, we invite you to explore the possibilities of cohousing with us.

Join the Cohousing Movement: Your Invitation to a Sustainable Future

Together, we can create a better, more eco-conscious way of living that benefits both our wallets and our planet. Let’s embark on this transformative journey, one home at a time.

If you’re interested in learning more about cohousing and how it can help you live more sustainably, visit our website where we have numerous articles about co-housing and projects around the UK.

A Fairer Society Blog

UK Cohousing Projects

And why not take our 1 minute quiz to see if you need a ‘better place to live’

Help to spread the word about Cohousing, Better Places to Live and creating A Fairer Society.

Follow, like and share our mission across social media.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Twitter

The post Embrace Eco Housing: A Collective Solution to Rising Costs and Conscious Living appeared first on A Fairer Society.

 “Is there a housing crisis in the UK?” and “Will house prices go down in 2024 or beyond?” 

The truth is, the housing crisis is a complex issue with no easy solutions. However, one alternative housing model is gaining traction as a potential solution: cohousing.

Is Co-housing the Solution to the UK Housing Crisis?

Cohousing communities are intentional, collaborative neighbourhoods created with a little ingenuity and a lot of commitment to social connection. These communities offer a solution to many of the problems plaguing the UK housing market, including high prices, lack of affordability, and the risk of market crashes.

So, why is there a housing crisis in the UK? 

The reasons are numerous, from a lack of affordable housing to high demand and speculative investment. These factors have led to a situation where many people are priced out of the housing market, leading to increased demand for rental properties and pushing up prices.

But where is the biggest housing problem in the UK? 

While London often takes the spotlight due to its high prices and demand, the crisis is nationwide, affecting cities and towns across the country. This is where cohousing comes in.

Cohousing communities, like those supported by A Fairer Society (AFS), offer an alternative to the traditional housing market. These communities are designed to share resources and communal spaces that help to reduce living costs. They also offer a sense of community and connection that is often lacking in traditional housing developments.

But will housing prices go down in the UK?

It’s hard to say. What we do know is that cohousing offers a stable alternative regardless of market fluctuations. And with the potential for a UK housing market crash looming, now is the perfect time to explore this alternative.

So, how do we fix the UK housing crisis?

While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, cohousing projects offers a viable alternative for many. By providing community-focused housing, we can begin to address the housing crisis and build a fairer society.

If you’re interested in learning more about cohousing and how it can provide a solution to the UK housing crisis, take a look at our many articles on co-housing, UK projects and why not take our 1 min quiz? 

Visit A Fairer Society today and together, we can navigate the housing crisis and build a better future.

See if you need a ‘better place to live’.

Help to spread the word about Cohousing, Better Places to Live and creating A Fairer Society.

Follow, like and share our mission across social media.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Twitter

The post Navigating the UK Housing Crisis: Is Cohousing the Solution? appeared first on A Fairer Society.

But what if there was a way to combat this loneliness, to foster real connections and create a sense of belonging? Enter cohousing communities, a solution offered by A Fairer Society.

What are co-housing communities?

Cohousing communities are intentional, collaborative neighbourhoods that foster a sense of community and connection. They offer a solution to the loneliness and isolation that many people experience in today’s disconnected society.

So, what is the main cause of loneliness?

 It can be many things, from living alone to a lack of social interaction. But one of the key factors is a lack of community connection. That’s where cohousing can make a difference.

Cohousing communities are designed to foster connection and community. They offer shared spaces for socialising, communal meals, and regular community activities. This can help to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, providing residents with a sense of belonging and a community to rely on.

But what happens to people in isolation?

Isolation can lead to a range of mental and physical health issues, from depression and anxiety to heart disease and a weakened immune system. There is no single solution to the growing ‘silent pandemic’ but it’s the responsibility of us all to try and find solutions that can benefit our society, communities and us. The reason we champion cohousing communities is because we have the seen the results from projects across the UK. It’s amazing the difference it make to people’s lives, providing regular social interaction and a supportive community.

So, how do you deal with loneliness?

We believe one of the most effective ways is to foster real, meaningful connections with others. And that’s exactly what A Fairer Society is trying to build through cohousing communities and other inititives in the workplace and your community. Take a look at some recent micro-grant projects and how a small grant can benefit a street, neighborhood and the local community. Our aim is to work with you to provide a space for people in your community to connect, to share experiences, and to support each other.

In conclusion…

Loneliness and isolation are significant issues in today’s society. But they’re not insurmountable. With projects such as cohousing communities, we can foster real connections, combat loneliness, and build a fairer society. To find out more about cohousing and how it can help to combat loneliness, take a look at our articles on co-housing communities and projects across the UK on the links below and you can also take a look at our latest articles and blogs.

Living in Intentional Communities: Exploring Cohousing

Co-op housing 5 UK examples that are working for One Planet Living

Cohousing: Bringing you better places to live

The importance of community in your neighbourhood

You can even take a quick 1 minute quiz to see if you need a ‘better place to live’.

Help to spread the word about Cohousing, Better Places to Live and creating A Fairer Society.

Follow, like and share our mission across social media.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Twitter

The post Overcoming Loneliness and Isolation: The Power of Cohousing Communities appeared first on A Fairer Society.

Some of the major issues people are facing in their communities are a lack of housing choices and too few homes being built. Families and individuals have to change their plans to afford what they need today, they may not be able to afford those changes in the long term. Older people struggle to stay in the locality they call home and renters simply don’t have the quality housing they should have.

Here are some examples:

For some older people, downsizing is impossible.

After working nearly all their lives, striving to be happy in a family home, they cherish an area they love. This lack of housing choice is a problem for everyone because those family homes become lost in the system. For some older people, downsizing in the area they live and love is not possible. 

Bank of mum and dad

In the past, parents would save money for retirement. However, this pattern has been changing with ever-increasing house prices. Parents now use their savings to help fund their children’s current home purchases, a reversal of the traditional home-buying sequence. As a result, many people have less money set aside as they approach retirement age than previous generations did at this stage.

In addition, some parents are using other assets besides cash savings to assist with the cost of funding their child’s housing. For example, they may commit equity from another property or withdraw from pension funds to help support their child’s deposit.

The rental market is slow-to-build social housing, and there is a shortage of suitable rental properties.

The rental market is slow-to-build social housing and lacks suitable rental properties. For those who want to rent but can’t afford to buy, there aren’t enough good quality affordable homes available in cities, towns or villages. Private landlords are a business, so in the main, they provide a solution, but one that also makes them money. And this shortage and lack of quality force many people into substandard living situations: poor quality conditions such as mouldy walls, dampness, cold temperatures and inadequate insulation.

A lack of housing choices could negatively impact every aspect of life, from your kids’ finances to your ability to retire.

The lack of housing choices through a lack of building and house prices, could negatively impact every part of your life, from your kids’ finances to your ability to retire. Here are a few examples:

• Children may have to move out of the area. If you can’t find affordable homes in the same school district as your children, you may have no choice but to move away from their friends and extended family members who are essential to them.
• Parents may have to work longer or even return when they thought they were ready for retirement. 
• Parents may also be forced into cohabitation with their adult children because there aren’t enough low-cost rentals available near where their kids live (and vice versa).

In conclusion,

The lack of housing choice in the mainstream market is something that we all need to be aware of because it impacts us daily. If you’re not already feeling the pressure, it’s likely only a matter of time before your finances also start to suffer from this issue. 

Building cookie-cutter homes that fit a shareholders-for-profit approach is not assisting anyone in the housing sector apart from the house builders.

As more people struggle with rising prices, their children will be left footing an even bigger bill.

The big unspoken truth in all of this is the lack of choice. Starting with nowhere to downsize, the shortage of quality/secure rental properties and land costs push house prices. So many people make do, and it shouldn’t be this way. 

House builders don’t consult communities or future residents on what they need; they build what they can make money from or sell to private landlords. 

This ongoing cycle hurts every rung of the ladder. We know what needs to change, and you can be part of the solution by telling us what you need. 

What can you do to improve your life and your community?

The first step is to take our 1 minute quiz. Simply answer 9 questions to see if you need a Better Place To Live.

You’ll be scored on the following; A home that meets your needs, a community and neighbourhood that works with your day-to-day life and is friendly to the earth.

Help to spread the word about Cohousing, Better Places to Live and creating A Fairer Society.

Follow, like and share our mission across social media.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

The post How house prices are impacting us all. Lack of housing choice and its cost in the mainstream market.  appeared first on A Fairer Society.

Communities are a great way to live sustainably. This blog will highlight co-op housing examples that help people live in an environmentally friendly way while getting to know their neighbours and building social connections.

Co-op housing is a great way for people to live sustainably together.

Co-op housing and ecovillages are excellent ways for people to live sustainably together. They’re a great way to build community. And with the right mindset, it’s also a perfect way to reduce your carbon footprint and improve your health.

We also love One Planet Living, an initiative by Bioregional. They’re helping people, organisations, communities, schools and cities to live more within their means. It’s estimated that we need 3 planet resources to sustain ourselves, based on how we live, so how do we reduce our consumption and still live happily and healthily?

Blending the 10 one planet living principles with co-housing and ecovillages is certainly proof there is another way.

Here are five co-housing examples that are doing their bit:

Findhorn Ecovillage, Scotland

Findhorn Ecovillage is a community of 80 people, built on permaculture principles. The Ecovillage serves as an inspiration for other communities across the world and was the first to be registered as a charity.

Findhorn Ecovillage has been in existence since the early 1970s and continues to grow incrementally each year with new dynamic additions such as the Findhorn Foundation’s recent investment in solar power installations across their site and plans for further renewable energy generation systems.

Lammas Ecovillage, Pembrokeshire

Lammas Ecovillage is a community of 75 people living on a farm in Pembrokeshire.
It’s a cohousing scheme, meaning that the residents live in houses but share facilities such as gardens, kitchens and meeting rooms.

The community has grown over time from just eight people to its current size, with many more joining each year. It has grown organically because the founders set out to create something they’d want to live in themselves – which meant being open to new ideas and welcoming new members as they came along.

LILAC Co-housing, Leeds

LILAC – Low Impact Living Affordable Community is a co-housing community of 20 eco-build households in West Leeds. The homes and land are managed by residents through a Mutual Home Ownership Society, a pioneering financial model that ensures permanent affordability.

Sharing is at the heart of this co-housing community because they believe and can prove that it reduces their impact on the planet.

The scheme was designed and built using a straw bale panel system, so the natural materials enable the homes to capture heat and keep the homes at the right temperature depending on the time of year.

There is solar-powered energy created on-site, mechanical ventilation keeps the air in the buildings of high quality without needing to open the windows, plus there is an allotment, car sharing and tool sharing.

BedZed, London

BedZed is a scheme in South London, UK. It was designed by ZEDfactory architects and built-in 2002 as part of the One Planet Living initiative to help make London more sustainable. It’s a beacon for zero carbon living worldwide.

The development is made up of 100 homes that are owned by their residents, who also share four lifts and a communal laundry room (the only space shared between all of the residents).

In addition to these features, BedZed has a community centre with meeting rooms where residents can hold parties or workshops; it also has an allotment for growing vegetables for its members’ use. It’s not the purists cohousing community, but it was created in partnership with Bioregional as they put into practise their 10 principles for One Planet Living. The residents after moving in have continuously reported how their lives are better and within their community they action things that make their lives better.

Lancaster Cohousing, Lancaster

The multi-award winning Lancaster cohousing community at Forgebank consists of private homes, community facilities, workshops/offices/studios and shared outdoor space.

There are around 65 adults and 18 children. They eat some meals together, make their decisions by consensus, and enjoy meeting neighbours in a pedestrian street and the Common House.
The homes meet Passivhaus and Code for Sustainable Homes (level 6) standards, and benefit from renewable technologies (solar, biomass and hydroelectricity).

Living at Forgebank also enables residents to live a lower impact lifestyle in many ways e.g. through travel plan and car club, cooperative food store, shared meals and other shared resources.

There are many different cohousing schemes throughout the UK, and each one has its unique approach to sustainable living. We’ve chosen five of our favourites to highlight here, but there are many more out there.

So if you’re looking for somewhere to live with a sustainable community vibe, why not check out one of these amazing projects? Or take our Better Places to Live quiz and see what you’d include in your cohousing community.

What can you do to improve your life and your community?

The first step is to take our 1 minute quiz. Simply answer 9 questions to see if you need a Better Place To Live.

You’ll be scored on the following; A home that meets your needs, a community and neighbourhood that works with your day-to-day life and is friendly to the earth.

Help to spread the word about Cohousing, Better Places to Live and creating A Fairer Society.

Follow, like and share our mission across social media.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

The post Co-op housing 5 UK examples that are working for One Planet Living appeared first on A Fairer Society.

Cohousing is a way to live that brings together the best of our community and private life, where we can be independent but still have the support of our neighbours. It should, for some, sound like how our communities were “back in the day”!

But we can’t just switch back. As a society, we’re in a very different place – with advancements in technology, social media and how we communicate as a whole, plus the pace of life and the domination of cars on our roads.

Some days it can feel a bit much, and you don’t know why.

How Cohousing Works

The idea of Cohousing (Community Housing) is to live in a community where you feel acquainted with your neighbours, not isolated. It’s about creating and living in a place that supports your lifestyle while also helping you save money, live sustainably and feel less stressed in your day-to-day life. Sound too good to be true? Or maybe it’s not for you…

Cohousing is based on building communities where people can live together but still have their own space and privacy. Cohousing communities are very different from typical new housing developments. They focus on creating a supportive environment where people look after each other, and everyone has a shared responsibility for keeping the community running smoothly.

What Cohousing is Not

What it is not is a commune (especially the type you see portrayed in the media). Although there are similarities to how many great communes function, taking some of those necessary advancements and blending them with what worked “back in the day”. It also combines the wants and needs of a modern-day way of living. 

You can ramp up or level out the amount of community you want to be involved with. It’s similar to being on social media – you’re either very engaged and active in the groups or with your contacts, or you dip in and out. If people know your motivation, why should there be a problem? There won’t be – that’s just one benefit of this way of living.

Community Connection and Collective Effort

Here is a great article about several different types of cohousing communities in the Netherlands and Belgium https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/02/style/cohousing-netherlands-belgium-community.html

The New York Times article highlights three main types of cohousing communities:

Inter-generational Cohousing: This type of cohousing involves a mix of different age groups, with an emphasis on fostering intergenerational connections. These communities encourage social interaction and mutual support between generations, promoting a sense of family and shared responsibility.

Senior Cohousing: These communities cater specifically to older adults who want to maintain their independence while benefiting from a supportive social environment. Senior cohousing arrangements often include shared facilities and activities, creating a strong sense of community and allowing for mutual assistance as residents age.

Ecovillages: These cohousing communities focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. Ecovillages prioritize green living, incorporating features like renewable energy, shared gardens, and sustainable building materials. Residents often share resources, skills, and knowledge to minimize their ecological footprint and support one another in living a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

All of these cohousing models share an emphasis on community living, collaboration, and shared resources to improve the quality of life for their residents.

Benefits of Cohousing

From these cohousing examples, you can see it provides people with a choice. It’s also your chance to help design some elements of how your home and community life will play out. You’re the resident, so why not have a say? 

It’s important to understand that when a group of people come together in this way, they are bound by way of life. For example, that could be your age, purpose, passion, interests or hobbies. So you are living with people who share a reason for being there. 

Collective Efforts in Cohousing

A collective effort like cohousing creates better places to live because they are designed and managed by the people who set the future foundation of the community.

From the outset, this collective approach will address the quality of the homes. This one step can make a difference to the residents by helping reduce your monthly outgoings and creating a positive environmental impact. 

Community Connections in Cohousing

Community connection means people who live like this feel supported and not isolated in their own homes. It’s a ready-made community for those last-minute emergencies or moments of need or for someone to look over the kids whilst you nip out.

The Affordability of Cohousing

But most importantly, this isn’t only for affluent people. The collective approach to doing this makes things much more affordable. Together, you can choose different ways and methods of making day-to-day life more affordable, not just the cost of acquiring your home.

For example, car sharing reduces monthly outgoings, bulk food buying minimises the number of shopping trips and offers better prices.

The First Step to Cohousing

The first step to this lifestyle choice isn’t to go and find a piece of land. Instead, it’s to change how you look at housing and community.

Conventional housing developers, or estate agents, may tell you it’s not a feasible way to live or it’s out of reach for you. But, they are working in a way that feeds into a broken system. 

Looking Beyond Traditional Housing

What is required is a fresh way of looking at this, we have to abide by laws and planning policy, but cohousing works within and goes further by adding value to a local community, not just the individual homes.

It’s an outward way of looking because your values and principles align with the local community, and the people who already live there.

What can you do to improve your life and your community?

The first step is to take our 1 minute quiz. Simply answer 9 questions to see if you need a Better Place To Live.

You’ll be scored on the following; A home that meets your needs, a community and neighbourhood that works with your day-to-day life and is friendly to the earth.

Help to spread the word about Cohousing, Better Places to Live and creating A Fairer Society.

• Our Facebook Page
• Twitter
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Follow, like and share our mission across social media.

The post Cohousing: Bringing you better places to live appeared first on A Fairer Society.

Community living is an essential part of life. It’s about having a place where you feel safe and comfortable. It’s about having people who have your back and can be there for you in good and bad times.

Community makes us feel connected to the world; it should be the place we live and our local neighbourhood, whether in a village, town or city.

This blog highlights the benefits of community and community living. So what could you do to connect with your neighbours? Or, as many people worldwide have done, start a new neighbourhood by building one. 

What does community living mean?

As important as knowing where you fit in, the feeling of being accepted for who you are is equally important. A community means living where you feel comfortable being authentic and sharing your genuine thoughts and feelings with others. These interactions will help create meaningful connections with friends and other community members, which can lead to positive changes in your life.

Community building takes time, but also about taking one step at a time—such as getting involved in local events or talking with neighbours. You can build relationships that will ultimately create strong communities within neighbourhoods. To start with, you could open your doors and invite everyone for a cup of tea or a drink, to get to know each other. No other agenda is needed.

Community is a support network that will have your back.

Finding answers and advice is much easier when you’re part of a community. You can rely on the people in your neighbourhood for help when making big decisions or needing support. 

The more we get to know one another, the more likely we will reach out when someone needs help.

When we are vulnerable and ask for help, our communities respond with compassion and generosity. We learn how much we can trust others with our struggles, which makes us more comfortable reaching out again when needed. But this also creates a two-way street. People will feel comfortable contacting you when they need something.

In addition to giving us support during difficult times, being part of a community also provides us with an outlet for celebrating the positive aspects of life: developing new friendships; creating opportunities for growth through volunteering; connecting with others who share similar interests, or click over specific problems that might be affecting them – it means people don’t feel so alone.

Being part of a neighbourhood community is good for your mental health and emotional well-being.

Connection with other human beings is life. So we must interact and create safe spaces for people to knock around or shout up when they need something. Being part of a neighbourhood community is good for your mental health and emotional well-being. That’s a scientific fact!

Feeling like you belong in your community can help you feel more connected with others and make you feel like you have a purpose in that community. Feeling related to others can also make it easier to express who you are and share what’s important to you without hiding or feeling judged. And when people share the same values about things like honesty or leadership skills, they can build trust that lasts over time.

Community living is about having people with who you can enjoy the time, like meals and celebrations.

Community is about having people with who you can enjoy the time, like meals and celebrations, no matter what happens. Community is about sharing food and meals together. It is such a positive way to break down barriers and stay connected. It’s a way of life that brings people together through shared experiences and celebrations.

Regular meet-ups centred around food and drink celebrate your life in the community.

Community is about recognising what problems exist locally and working on them together.

Community is about recognising what problems exist locally and working on them together. This is often done by creating a meaningful project to work on. This can be literally anything. Cleaning up of litter, all contributing to safer streets, fewer cars, the list is endless as it is specific to your community and what is happening.

Community building means making things happen in your neighbourhood – whether organising a street party or planting fruit trees in the park. It might sound like hard work at first, but if everyone pitches in, we can make great things happen for our communities too!

Community is about contributing to a bigger purpose connected to the world.

Your community is part of the wider society. So you don’t need to lock yourself away and only focus on your problems. Instead, you can contribute to a bigger purpose connected to the world by making things better where you live, which is likely to have a knock-on effect. We are all connected, after all. 

Community living is about making a difference in your neighbourhood and our world.

This means that:

• You help each other out when it’s needed. 
• You share resources with others – like tools or skills 
• You support each other in times of need 
• You work together towards common goals 
• You connect to more significant projects that help your city, region or country.
• Conclusion
• Remember: no matter where you are in life, there’s always room for growth, and why not start with your neighbours and those closest to you.
• If you’re lonely or isolated – say hello to those around you, and see if there is anyone else in the same boat as you. Then together you can start to help each other and then help others.
• If this sounds like a big task, it’s one we can help you with. We help people connect to projects looking to build new Cohousing communities and support neighbourhood development in many ways. 
• Start from the comfort of your own home by doing the Better Places to Live quiz now.

What can you do to improve your life and your community?

The first step is to take our 1 minute quiz. Simply answer 9 questions to see if you need a Better Place To Live.

You’ll be scored on the following; A home that meets your needs, a community and neighbourhood that works with your day-to-day life and is friendly to the earth.

Help to spread the word about Cohousing, Better Places to Live and creating A Fairer Society.

Follow, like and share our mission across social media.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

The post The importance of community in your neighbourhood appeared first on A Fairer Society.