We Are Belfast Cohousing.
We are establishing a new model of housing in Belfast.
Belfast Cohousing is a group of local people working together to create our own sustainable and permanently affordable cohousing community in an urban Belfast setting.
We believe now is the time to develop city centre living in Belfast!
Who Are We?
Belfast Cohousing is part of the community-led housing movement. Our aim is to create a permanently affordable housing project in Belfast, with 20 energy efficient homes in a mixed tenure development, where residents enjoy the privacy of their own homes, yet also have use of extensive common facilities such as open space, courtyards, a playground and a common house.
Our intention is to create a sustainable neighbourhood that is multi-generational and diverse; where residents actively cooperate in the planning, design and construction of the project and in maintaining its shared resources when up and running; and where residents have one goal in mind: to create and be part of a vibrant diverse community living in a safe, and mutually supportive environment.
What is Cohousing?
Cohousing communities are created and run by their residents. Each household has a self-contained home and the community shares some resources and activities. The site, social activities and governance are all designed to balance privacy with beneficial social interaction. The focus is on community, a neighbourhood where people want to band together, take care of one another and collaborate for the good of all.
Common House
A shared space used for community resources and activities. Often this includes a kitchen and dining room where residents can socialise and spend time together outside of their own homes. It may also include guest rooms, laundry room, play room, workshop – whatever the community decides it wants. Guest rooms in the common house may allow residents to choose a house with fewer bedrooms, saving them money.
Governance
Projects are run collaboratively by residents and everyone has a role, with the ability to influence decisions. Various legal and governance structures are possible. Decision-making and conflict-resolution in Belfast Cohousing are achieved through a process called Sociocracy.
Affordability
Cohousing can improve affordability and expand access to high quality, eco-friendly housing to members of the community. Borrowing as a collective group of people can enable residents to access better mortgage terms than they could as individuals.
Belfast Cohousing 