A NEW APPROACH TO HOME OWNERSHIP AND COMMUNITY

A COMMUNITY APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Prior to the introduction of ownership co-operatives, most Albertans, when it came to housing, had the following options to choose from: individual freehold ownership, condominium ownership, non-equity continuing co-operatives or rental. There existed however a segment of the population who sought individual owned homes yet who also wanted a stronger sense of control and community and for whom the available housing options were simply not adequate. The ownership co-operative fills this market niche.

WHAT IS AN OWNERSHIP CO-OPERATIVE?

A ownership co-operative combines the basic principles of individual ownership with the advantages of a co-operative community. In a ownership co-operative you own your own home, in a manner that is similar to condominium ownership. Before purchasing the home you will also apply to become and be approved as a member of the co-op. The co-operative, like a condominium corporation, owns and manages the common property. In a ownership co-operative however, only those who intend to make it their home are permitted to buy. The advantages are:

No one can own more than one suite (unless they combine the suites into one living space) and everyone becomes an equally responsible neighbour.

• Suites are not sold to investors who plan on renting and eventually reselling and who's interests can conflict with those of the resident owners. Similarly corporate hospitality suites are also not permitted.
• As a resident in a ownership co-operative you are assured that your neighbours are owners like you, who share common bonds and interests.

A TOOL FOR DEVELOPING "GREEN " HOUSING COMMUNITIES

The ownership co-operative concept was developed by the Communitas Group, who are providing the development expertise for the project. Communitas's approach to co-operative housing development actively involves the future member/owners by soliciting their input into the design of the homes and the community. This involved approach means that, within the budget parameters established by the group and the market, projects are custom developed to meet the needs of the future occupant. Combining this user oriented approach with an increased awareness of sustainable design translates into better quality and more sustainable communities and homes.

In today's environment the value of a supportive community where residents know each other and work together to manage their community cannot be under estimated. As the authors of the recent publication titled Co-housing, A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves, pointed out "Traditional forms of housing no longer address the needs of many people. Dramatic demographic and economic changes are taking place in our society and most of us feel the effects of these trends in our own lives. Things that people once took for granted - family, community, a sense of belonging - must now be actively sought out." [Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett: 1994]. By their very design, ownership co-operatives provide their residents with the opportunity to work together to create a supportive community and the experience of the already developed co-ops shows that the community spirit develops quickly and is highly valued. This feature is particularly important for older householders, many of who are women currently living on their own in their original family home. It is also important for households who seek the peace of mind and security that comes from living in a community where people know their neighbours. While it is possible for such supports to exist in any type of housing development, it has been our experience over the years that strong community spirit seems to develop more fully in a co-operative environment.

Issue Date: June 1996 Copyright The Communitas Group, revised October 1997 , June 1999

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