What is cohousing?
Cohousing neighbourhoods are designed to combine the autonomy of private dwellings with the advantages of shared resources and community living. Members participated in the planning, design, and development of the community so that it directly met their needs. In the process of working together, residents have built strong relationships and bonds that support them in the ongoing community.
How did cohousing get started?
The concept emerged in Denmark about 50 years ago. It was introduced to North America by the architect team of Charles Durrett and Kathryn McCamant with the publication in 1988 of their book Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves. Since then, well over 150 cohousing communities have been completed in North America. There are currently several completed communities in Canada, with many more in various stages of development. The concept is spreading throughout the world.
What is the West Wind Harbour Cohousing community like?
Each home is autonomous and owners hold title to their real estate through strata title. They can sell their units at any time. There are also over 7000 sq.ft. of common spaces including a gym, guest rooms, fully equipped workshop, an art room, library, boat dock, roof deck, and several places to meet and mingle.
When we established the community, we agreed on priorities that we all valued. We wanted to use clean energy. We insisted on the Build Green standard, even though it was a bit more expensive to build that way, but our energy costs are low. We all agreed the building to be smoke-free, even on the balconies smoking and vaping is not permitted.
We come from very diverse backgrounds, from every income level, family type and belief. We have a common desire to take an active part in our community and share the opinion that connecting with our neighbours will enhance our quality of life.
Would I have privacy?
Yes! A unique aspect of cohousing is that residents participate in creating a community that reflects their values. Our members highly value privacy, so the design reflects our desire to provide a balance of privacy and community.
Are children welcome at West Wind Harbour?
Yes! Children are very welcome and we have not set age restrictions. We currently have a young family with a baby in our building and many residents have grandchildren or other young people in their lives. Our neighbourhood is designed with the intention of serving a community of all ages.
Are pets welcome at West Wind Harbour?
Yes! Our pet policy allows for two pets per household, but we also built in some guidelines, like keeping dogs on leash at all times, to make sure that people who are nervous around animals would not be startled. We did not want to endanger the bird population, so we welcome house cats but do not permit them to roam. The majority of our residents enjoy the wildlife all around us and animals in general.
What is a common house?
We actually have two common houses. Fortunately we kept the existing family home when we built the new residences on the property. Affectionately called Huset (Norwegian for Home), it features kitchen and dining areas, guest rooms, a separate den and a small library. This is also where our fully equipped wood workshop is housed. The new building also has common spaces: large kitchen with a commercial dish washer and dining area with a patio overlooking the Sooke Basin, a gym, rooftop deck, and several storage areas including locked bike storage.
Common spaces are the heart of the community; a place for residents to share food, have meetings, celebrations, musical events, movies, yoga practice, workshops, and other activities that support the interests of community members.
Do members share meals together?
Common activities—and particularly shared meals—can be important aspects of community life both for social and practical reasons. Such activities are always optional. In cohousing communities, residents typically share meals anywhere from a few nights a month to as many as several nights per week. It depends entirely on the wishes of the residents, and participation is up to each individual.
Do I have to like everyone?
In this world, it’s unlikely that we can all ‘like’ everything that other people do or say! However, in a healthy and diverse community, people are expected to be tolerant and respectful toward others. Some people, of course, are very private individuals and may feel most comfortable with fewer close friendships; while others form friendships with most everyone in the community. As in other areas of life, individuals create their own experiences.
Can I expect free elder care or help if I get sick?
As among any group of friends and neighbours, people help each other in informal ways; cohousing is envisioned as a community in which people are friendly and supportive of each other—especially in times of need. However, this support is always voluntary and any particular ongoing care for individuals would be arranged privately.
How much meeting time is involved?
Generally, community meetings to which all residents are invited take place one day a month, except in the summer and around the Christmas Holidays. In addition meetings among team and committee members are scheduled according to the requirements of the work they are involved in.
Is meeting attendance mandatory?
No. However, we’ve found relationships have been strengthened through discussion, by working together, and socializing. We’ve found that working and making decisions together is a very effective way to build a cohesive community. Although attendance at meetings is not mandatory; decisions made by the community, even in your absence, are binding.
What will be expected of me?
Members work together to organize various aspects of the community and to take care of maintenance and ongoing upkeep duties. There is no minimum amount of participation required, and each person participates as much or as little as they feel they are able. Monthly maintenance (strata) fees are required.
What is the village of Sooke like?
Sooke village is the compact centre of a wider, coastal community that stretches north to Port Renfrew and beyond. Its commercial centre, which is accessible on foot within minutes from our building, provides for most common needs with two supermarkets, two drug stores, several medical providers and a healthy collection of supportive businesses.
The township itself borders Sooke Harbour and enjoys panoramic south- westerly views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Olympic Mountains of Washington State. First Nations have lived off the natural abundance of the land and the sea in this area for millennia.
The Sooke Basin, where West Wind Harbour situated, is a beautifully sheltered natural harbour. At our doorstep lies a region where wild creatures and the wilderness live in relative harmony with people— where we can watch hummingbirds, bald eagles, kingfishers, herons, and loons, and occasionally see bear, cougar, orca, and whales. Deer graze throughout the region—necessitating gardening as an act of cooperation with nature.