By David F. Rooney
Could a cohousing project work in Revelstoke? That’s a question that was percolating through the minds of people who attended a public presentation by Marc Paradis and Maria-Lynn Johnson on Thursday, January 11.
This is the second time she and her partner have spoken publicly about cohusing in Revelstoke. Their first presentation was in 2014. And their message remains the same: Cohousing makes sense at a time when, as everyone here knows all too well, quality housing is becoming very expensive here. The new affordable housing complex is set to open this spring and will address some of our community’s needs but it is not enough by itself. Cohousing provides a solution that may work well for many people, with or without families.
Cohousing projects can take almost any form and are more common than you might imagine. There are more than 200 cohousing developments in the United States and scores in Canada — there’s even one in Golden.
They can be purpose-built or they can evolve out of existing housing stock. Some look like condo developments or small apartment blocks; others like small suburban developments built around a common space. That com mon space is important. All cohousing developments have spaces for common activities whether it is gardening, cooking and dining or recreation.
No matter what they look like, the dwellings are owned by people who know their neighbours, trust them and cooperate with them in many aspects of their daily lives.
If you would like to know more about cohousing, especially as it might pertain to Revelstoke, please contact Marc Paradis at marclparadis@yahoo.ca.
You can also read Marc’s three thoughtful pieces about cohousing. Please click here to read Sharing & caring in the 21st Century — Part 1, Sharing & caring in the 21st Century — Part 2 and Sharing & caring in the 21st Century — Part 3.
