Getting started

Thinking about starting a cohousing community?

It’s an ambitious and exciting undertaking that can also feel daunting.

The best approach is taking it one manageable step at a time. Begin by educating yourself about the process.

Read a book

Cohousing topics

  • Creating Cohousing by Katie McCamant and Charles Durrett

  • The Senior Cohousing Handbook by Charles Durrett

  • State-of-the-Art Cohousing: Lessons Learned from Quimper Village by Alexandria Levitt and Charles Durrett

  • The Cohousing Handbook by Chris Scotthanson and Kelly Scotthanson

  • Finding Community: How to Join an Ecovillage or Intentional Community by Diana Leafe Christian

  • Reinventing Community: Stories from the Walkways of Cohousing by David Wann

  • Aging in Community (revised edition) by Janice Blanchard and Anthony Bolton

Related topics

  • Many Voices, One Song: Shared Power with Sociocracy by Ted Rau and Jerry Koch-Gonzalez

  • We the People: Consenting to a Deeper Democracy — A Handbook for Understanding and Implementing Sociocratic Principles and Practices by John Buck and Sharon Villenes

  • The Village Effect by Susan Pinker

  • Not Your Mother’s Retirement: Secrets of Today’s Women to Live Fully During the Best Years of Life; Mark Chimsky, editor

  • Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin Seligman

  • The Wisdom of Group Decisions by Craig Freshley

  • Nonviolent Communication, a Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg

Check out a website

CohoUS

  • Information on how to create, live in and maintain cohousing communities.

  • A comprehensive directory of existing and developing communities in North America, as well as seekers and professionals directories.

  • Information about upcoming workshops, conferences and events, including those held online.

  • Classified ads for available cohousing units.

Canadian Cohousing Network

CoHousing Solutions

The Cohousing Company

Cohousing Development Consulting

Sociocracy for All

Visit existing communities

Look for communities in your area of interest at cohousing.org. Most built communities are happy to talk with people interested in cohousing. Contact those you might like to visit to find out if they’re currently providing tours or virtual tours. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many communities suspended in-person tours but likely would be glad to answer your questions. Some communities have created “virtual tour” videos.

Take a workshop

As of summer 2020, many educational opportunities about cohousing, including workshops, have gone online. Following are some ideas on where to find them. 

  • Look at what CohoUS has to offer under the “Events” tab on their website, cohousing.org. Currently, there are numerous online workshops, conferences, webchats and other events. Some are recorded for later viewing.

  • Look at the Levitt Coho Facebook page to find out about online events put on by this senior cohousing consulting firm.

  • Check out the online events put on by the Canadian Cohousing Network.

  • Consider getting a group together for an Aging Successfully: Study Group 1 workshop. This 10-week workshop helps participants look at their needs and desires for the years ahead and explores different types of living situations. Facilitator training is available online, and the workshop itself could be held online.

Form a group

If you decide you’re ready to explore starting a new community, form a group with others who are interested and motivated. It can be a small number — most cohousing communities start with just a handful of “burning souls.” Meet regularly to talk about your vision, values and goals. You can grow your group by reaching out — for example:

  • Let your family and friends know what you’re doing.

  • Put up notices on library, church or senior center bulletin boards.

  • Set up a table at your annual neighborhood fair.

  • Use online community message boards.

  • Create a Meetup group or Facebook page for your project.

Keep in mind

Most cohousing communities take at least a few years from the idea stage to completion. Major steps typically include forming a core community of individuals who are passionate about cohousing and will drive the process, hiring a cohousing consultant, planning with an architect, recruiting members, locating suitable property, choosing a developer and construction company, securing financing, forming a homeowners association and creating bylaws … all this must be done before the community can live together. These shared experiences nurture the important, ongoing process of creating community among the participants.