cohousing

[koh-hou-zing]

noun

1. a cooperative living arrangement in which people build a cluster of single-family houses around a common building for shared meals, child care, guest rooms, etc.

2. the cluster of houses with the common building.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cohousing¹

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

In California, the Burwens created a cohousing community on an acre of land.

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Mountain View Cohousing Community is the result of a conversation they had 20 years ago as newly-retired empty-nesters.

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They spent 10 years finding land in Silicon Valley, recruiting members, designing and building the community with the help of a well-known cohousing architect, Charles Durrett.

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The Burwens, now 78 and 80, coach others building cohousing developments in the Bay area.

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“What we did can and is being done around the country,” says David, adding that there are about 150 cohousing communities in North America, many focused on those in the last third of their lives.

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