Cohousing is an intentional, self-governing, cooperative community where residents live in private homes clustered around common spaces, often including a common house, gardens, communal kitchen and laundry, playgrounds, workshops and bike and garden sheds. Owners and residents share their skills, knowledge and creativity, collaboratively manage shared spaces and participate in community activities.  Cohousing facilitates interaction among neighbours, providing social, practical, economic and environmental benefits.​

 

Cohousing communities are typically small in scale and comprise a mix of individuals, couples, families and others who share a desire for independent living in a community committed to achieving best outcomes for all through shared facilities, activities and responsibilities. Residents can balance their needs for privacy with the opportunity for socialising and shared activities.​

 

Interestingly, the term 'cohousing' originated in the 1960s in Denmark (the country) in response to the growth of suburban neighbourhoods, where each household is an island, no-one knows their neighbours and the car is king. In contrast, the cohousing model addresses issues of social isolation, environmental deterioration and housing unaffordability.​​