Early on, we did an exercise where we brainstormed what features we’d like to see, and we rated how important they were to us.
The following are not set hard-and-fast at this point, but we’re including them here to give you and idea of what we’ve been thinking.
One of the nice things about community is that we all get to say what’s important to us, and we all work together to find common ground.
Required Features of the Community
(Each feature in this list is required by at least one equity member.)
Common Space
Bicycle parking on ground floor
Tool library, not accessible by young children (can be just a cabinet at first)
Library with books, magazines, pictures, CDs, DVDs, software, and other items to lend to each other (could be just a few shelves at first)
Guest bedroom, used as an additional play area when there are no guests (attached bathroom desirable but not required)
When possible, shared extra toilet on ground floor, preferably in a room by itself (no sink needed if utility sink is nearby)
When possible, shared extra shower and/or bathtub on ground floor, preferably with door to guest room
When possible, shared extra kitchen area on ground floor (OK to start with toaster oven, hotplate, and microwave)
Facilities for resident and guest children of all ages to do self-directed learning together, starting at least with a shared backyard and large indoor playroom and then adding facilities when possible
Ability to have guest children and adults in the shared playing/learning areas every day
No leaf blowers or other motorized tools that could be replaced by moderate manual labor
bathrooms and kitchens(-ettes) for each individual living space – in addition to a common kitchen (and common bathroom) within/as part of the communal area
Philosophy/Principles
Involved residents (full representation at monthly meetings and participation in working groups)
Mechanisms for ensuring that potential residents meet the existing residents, understand the vision and rules, and agree to them
Respect for each other, including respect for children as full human beings
Express philosophy and principles concisely and concretely, e.g., 10-point mission statement
Build & maintain good relationship between co-ho residents and local community – join neighborhood associations, etc
Clear, written guidelines for making decisions and resolving disputes, with unanimous approval required for changes to the TIC agreement or the Mission Statement
Tolerance and open-mindedness
Residents who like having children playing/learning in the shared areas every day
Safety & Security
Constant adult oversight of young children (up to at least age 4), and some adults available for all children at all times
Part of the shared indoor and outdoor areas kept safe and appropriate for very young children (under age 4)
Earthquake-resistance retrofitting
Fire insurance covering the cost of rebuilding
Fire alarm
Nontoxic building materials and furniture (e.g., no particle board)
Reserve funds for expected and unexpected expenses, including six months of mortgage, insurance, and tax payments
Liability coverage adequate for frequent, regular guests
Clear rules about reselling and refinancing that protect owners wanting to sell their interests as well as owners who will be in a new mortgage with new co-owners
Right of first refusal for remaining owners when an owner wants to sell, with a commonly accepted method of determining market value
Site Selection
Sunny backyard, with back wall of building not shaded for much of any day of the year
San Francisco
Attempts to make agreements with owners of neighboring properties to share backyards and some indoor spaces
Sustainability
Food Production – fruit trees, garden
Compost bin for garden
Rainwater catchment
Clothesline
Washing machine with greywater filtration
Team Building
Consult real-estate lawyer experienced with TICs
Building inspector
Title search company (+ title insurance)
Possible Features of the Community
(Each feature in this list is desired by at least one equity member, but not required.)
Common Space
Minimal space dedicated to cars
Compact bike repair bench (3′ x 3′) like at Bike Kitchen
Utility sink(s) near washing machine
Bioshelter greenhouse with some UV protection, attached to the back wall of the house, for moderating temperature, playing and reading in natural light, and gardening (including aquaculture if it can be done safely)
Mat room with a thick, soft floor covering where children can build with soft materials (such as foam cubes), climb, jump, and tumble
Large sandbox with container that children can pump water from
Natural-looking and natural-sounding outdoor area (for example, unpainted wood instead of plastic)
Bamboo grove for children if it can be contained and will not harbor pests (bamboo is fast-growing and has many uses, so it could satisfy the children’s need to pick plants, as well as supply a fun place to hide)
Philosophy/Principles
Agile planning practices
Weighing value of labor contributed? (renovation and/or maintenance)
Group decision making by a type of consensus or sociocracy
Voluntary fund for loans and subsidies to low-income owners, with tax deductions for donors if possible (after the community is established)
Safety & Security
Earthquake insurance if it’s not too expensive
Site Selection
Haight area (upper or lower), North of Panhandle, or Mission District
Sustainability
Honeybees
Chickens or ducks
Collective vehicle ownership
Solar domestic hot water
Cisterns on roof with rainwater and greywater for stopping fire if city firefighters cannot (greywater could be pumped up to roof with solar and play pumps, filtered with aquaculture tanks, and used to water plants and flush toilets)
Permaculture
Quiet windmill if practical
Passive solar technology if practical
Greywater reuse to the extent that it is practical
Team Building
Designer/architect
Project manager (deals with zoning, city inspections, etc.)
Co-Housing consultant
Day work coordinator (deals with labor, materials, tools)
Realtor with limited contract?
