SOLUTIONS TOOLKIT

COHOUSING & COMMUNAL LIVING

The Housing Solutions Partnership has formed a committee to explore cohousing/communal living solutions to address Kootenai County’s housing crisis. The committee includes representatives from organizations familiar with various types of communal housing, including multi-person homes, transitional housing, rehabilitation facilities and more. The committee will review and discuss ordinances for consistency across local jurisdictions.

WHAT IS COHOUSING?

The Cohousing Association of America defines Cohousing as “an intentional, collaborative neighborhood that combines private homes with shared indoor and outdoor spaces designed to support an active and interdependent community life. Cohousing is not a financial or legal model, but rather a descriptive term that emphasizes the active participation of residents in everything from design to governance.” Learn more at https://www.cohousing.org/

An example of a cohousing community can be found in Spokane. It was developed as an intentional community of private homes clustered around shared space. Visit their website at https://www.spokanecohousing.com/