Habitat Re•Imagined

Sustainable Community

Shared Housing at Echo Hills Cottages

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We’re moving along nicely with development of our “intentional” neighborhood. Three homes are completed and occupied. Another home is just about done and will be occupied by mid July. Our fifth is well on it’s way and we hope to have the owner in this fall.

Another current project is transforming our community house into a shared housing model, providing three individuals the opportunity to rent in our community. With the lower level self-contained studio suite occupied, we’re turning our attention to the main floor. By the first of August, 2017, the two bedrooms will be filled and we will continue the process of developing our relationships based on the principles and tools that we have been working on and putting into place as the foundation for this “intentional” neighborhood.

 EHC Community House

We will begin with each renter completing their own Blueprint of We. This will give us the foundation for creating the relationships we each are comfortable with, and assist us in navigating our shared space by aligning our values, needs and expectations. For me, there are three “tools” I’m very excited to begin using with our group. Those are Mindfulness, Conscious Communication and Heart Coherence. Of course, whenever we gather to discuss and work on decisions that need to be made, we’ll use the consent process of sociocracy.

Watch for future posts on our shared housing journey at Echo Hills.

Kathleen

The Glenway House

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Before Echo Hills Cottages, there was “The Glenway House.” We were given the opportunity to transform a 3500 sq.ft  house, in a great North Asheville neighborhood, into a shared home for up to five adults. This wonderful house was a near perfect canvas to co-create this win / win solution. It was easily transformed into three independent suites of 450 to 650 square feet, each with a full bath, along with a bedroom with shared bath. It also had a large amount of common space, including a kitchen/dining/living area with fireplace, a great screened in porch, and potential studio / shop space. At the time, the house had an owner that was excited about the opportunity to relieve the stress of a deflated real estate market while meeting the needs of a great group of people.

The Glenway House

To insure the best possible experience for everyone, we established this household on a foundation that encourages healthy communication. We began with the Blueprint of We – for our relationship with the owner as well as the relationships between the residents. We facilitated monthly meetings with the residents, using the consent based decision making of Dynamic Governance (sociocracy) and the principles of compassionate communication. Laurie and I participated in this household until our cottage community project was up and running.

Ron 

Shared Housing – a Win / Win Solution for Many

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There is a growing interest in intentional community around the country, with a concentrated interest here in Asheville. The list of reasons are many, with mutual support right up at the top. Many people have realized for some time that our culture has, in many ways, lost a sense of community – next door neighbors often don’t even know each other. We also struggle with many physical, emotional, and spiritual needs that are exasperated by this loss of community. We struggle with finances, relationships, parenting, aging, etc. – most of all we want to know and be known.

The current social, economic, and environmental conditions in the world have put a spot light on some of these needs and brought an interest in community to the forefront of many peoples minds. At the same time, there is a growing inventory of large houses for sale with owners that are seriously looking for a solution to payments they cannot afford. Many of these houses can be renovated to provide a great balance of private and shared space. Many of these houses can also provide affordable rental and/or purchase options.

If you are interested in shared housing communities, contact us for rental opportunities or assistance with renovating or purchasing. We can help you explore the many shared housing possibilities in our area.

 

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