Cohousing is a form of cooperative housing that engages residents in the design and management of their community. Cohousing encourages community interaction, consensus in decision making, and shared common spaces. By sharing facilities and helping each other, residents of cohousing communities can often lead more sustainable lives.

The ongoing foreclosure crisis, shifting demographics that include more single-parent households, an aging population and the associated cross-generational living, and growing interest in alternative housing options all combine to make cohousing an increasingly compelling housing choice.

Cohousing has been developed successfully in many states in recent years, but there are few opportunities in Ohio. However, there is growing interest in developing a cohousing community in Cleveland. The Cleveland City Planning Commission is organizing meetings on cohousing. For more information contact Kim Scott at 216-664-3803 (kscott@city.cleveland.oh.us), or Trevor Hunt at 216-664-2212, (thunt@city.cleveland.oh.us).

Resources
Cohousing Association
Cohousing books