Hope Cohousing

Hope Cohousing – a community interest company – is working to establish a small cohousing project for older people in St Margaret’s Hope, Orkney as a lasting community benefit. There will be six new, eco-aware, affordable rental homes for people wanting to live independently and build a supportive community. It will have shared amenities, a garden….and hens.

Find out more about the project; become a Friend of Hope Cohousing.

In the news

Read all about it!
Hope Cohousing featured in Women
and Home

The March edition of Women and Home has an article on cohousing that has a page featuring Hope Cohousing. Complete with a great aerial photo of the Hope, it captures some of the flavour of the project and the thinking that underpins it.

We are hoping that it will also be included in the online version of the magazine next month.

Some sobering statistics from Independent Age

Independent Age has launched a new research report on how to improve the lives of older private renters in Scotland. They found that:

  • 39% older private renters live in poverty.
  • 23% more older people experienced homelessness in 2022-23 than 2021-22.
  • 65% of the houses lived in by older people are in a state of disrepair. [February 12, 2024]

Download the report from Independent Age.

Scotland’s housing crisis

According to a YouGov poll, commissioned by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), 80% of respondents say Scotland is in a housing crisis. According to the same poll, it is now the third most important issue facing the country (27%).

The poll also found that 79% of those in Scotland think there is not currently enough housing that is affordable yet last week, cabinet secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville confirmed the target to build 110,000 homes by 2032 was ‘at risk’. See more in Scottish Housing News. [February 8, 2024]

Click for more news.

Resources

Featured article: Why cohousing is good for people and communities the evidence. [Updated January 2024]

Creating a cohousing project: Materials and videos exploring different aspects of putting together a cohousing project.

St Margaret’s Hope: Find out more about the village, local services and attractions.

Meet-up

Want to talk about the project? Our next monthly get-together will take place early in April – the date and venue are to be finalised.

Email us if you are thinking of coming along or have questions about HCH.

For more about other cohousing groups in Scotland click on the link below.

visit cohousing scotland

updated: March 6, 2024