This section of the site focuses on the resources we are producing to support funding applications and evaluate what we are doing. As such, they may be helpful if you want to explore cohousing, or set up a project. We add items as we go along.
All projects have their own characteristics. Ours is defined by a focus on the needs of older people plus our wish to create affordable rental homes as a lasting community benefit. We also live in Orkney, and like many other community initiatives in the Highlands and Islands, we have to deal with problems arising from our remote location and a chronic shortage of appropriate housing.
How HCH got started in three minutes
Made for the Rural Housing Summit 2021, this video tells our story up to then in 3 minutes.
Things have moved on since we helped to make the video. Now there are six rather than five houses, and a covered walkway rather than an internal street. Thankfully, with help from the Rural Communities in Action Fund (Inspiring Scotland/The Scottish Government) and Crown Estates Scotland, we had funding to cover preconstruction activities. In association with the Communities Housing Trust, we are now working to raise money for the build itself.
The five phases – and funding gaps – in community-led housing/cohousing projects
This document sets out on one page the various tasks involved in a community-led housing/cohousing build. It was produced so that potential funders could understand what stage we are at in the project – and the funding gaps faced. It also identifies the major financial holes governments have to address if they are to take community-led housing seriously. [Project phases and funding gaps]
The project timeline
We developed another one-page document as we were asked by a funder to produce a timeline. As we worked on the diagram we began to appreciate how it could help improve their understanding of our project. Some new to cohousing might be surprised at the amount of work involved in a scheme like ours, and that it takes five or more years to get to the point when building can actually begin. [Hope Cohousing timeline]
Why cohousing is good for people and communities – the evidence
Every so often we get asked to back up our claims concerning the contribution cohousing can make to individual wellbeing and community life. Thankfully, over the last five years or so, researchers have found strong evidence to support five key claims. These are that cohousing:
- reduces social isolation and loneliness.
- fosters agency, mutual aid, and well-being.
- adds to the supply of affordable housing.
- strengthens community life and a sense of place.
- can have significant health benefits.
You can view our discussion of this research with live links to key reports – Why cohousing is good for people and communities – the evidence – or download a PDF version.
Governance – choosing the right structures for cohousing
At several points in the project, we have had to examine our governance arrangements. To help us to think about what the right structure might be we put together a governance ‘matrix’ which might be helpful to others thinking about cohousing. It shows the characteristics of different organizational forms: Charity and Company limited by guarantee; Community Interest Company; Cooperative Society; Community Benefit Society; Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Some organisations will also want to explore community land trusts [HCH_governance_matrix].
For us, it made sense to join a community housing charity [the Communities Housing Trust]. It would become the overarching body with Hope Cohousing acting as what is, effectively, a tenant management organization. Apart from being able to draw upon their expertise, this arrangement guarantees the public benefit of the project. This lies at the core of a project like ours which focuses on community benefit and is dependent upon charitable giving and government support. [Click to read a helpful article by Laura Moss on cohousing and public benefit].
Finance, governance, and getting to the build on budget
Hope Cohousing features in a series of cohousing conversations hosted by Cohousing Scotland. Our presentation and discussion focus on finance, getting to the build on budget, and governance. Click to view on YouTube.
The potential of cohousing
Click to listen to Jenny Rambridge (Hope Cohousing) and Norrie McPhail (Cohousing Scotland) talking with Ariane Burgess (Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands) about the potential of cohousing in Scotland.