Regional Groups

The Cohousing Association of the United States (Coho/US) does not have regional chapters, but we encourage and support regional collaborations among existing cohousing communities and cohousing groups in any stage of development.

Coho/US initiated gatherings of all communities and groups in Massachusetts/New England and in Northern California in the fall of 2007, with hopes that these groups will see the value of future collaboration and develop their own regional programs. The association is also planning a gatherings in Colorado in May, 2008, and hope to initiate one in Seattle this year as well. Both of these areas have seven or more completed communities, plus others in various stages of development. Much of the program content for the gatherings will be finalized by those in attendance based on their needs and interests.

Regional resources

Mid-Atlantic Cohousing
An active regional group is Mid-Atlantic Cohousing (MAC), where 11 communities collaborate on projects that address their common needs for marketing, education, technical assistance and other support. MAC provides a good model of how cohousing communities can pool their resources at the regional level. The group conducts, for example, a series of group process and conflict resolution training sessions and other daylong workshops. The group also schedules two bus tours a year to introduce new folks to a variety of cohousing communities. MAC members also plan to trade facilitators, participate in community workdays, and schedule group camping trips and other fun events.

Rocky Mountain Cohousing Council
The Rocky Mountain Cohousing Council (CO) meets quarterly and sets the agenda based on the interests of the group. Contact annie [at] whdc [dot] com, Wonderland Hill Development Company, 303-449-3232 ext 215.

East Bay Cohousing
This umbrella group is working to form and support groups of households and individuals who are working to create residential cohousing communities (retrofit and new-build) in the urban East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Northern California Regional Group
Members from six different communities attended an inaugural gathering in June 2005 and another attended by five completed communities and at least six other groups in various stages of formation or development in October of 2007.

Northwest Intentional Communities Association (NICA)
For more than 15 years, NICA has helped people interested in cohousing and other intentional communities across the Pacific Northwest. It has always had a strong cohousing presence in its leadership and participation. It presents regular Winter and Summer Gatherings in various locations in Washington and Oregon, as well as other events.

Twin Cities Cohousing Network
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN