I remember the first time I read about co-housing. I found myself feeling cautiously excited, until...
It became clear that only people who were reasonably well-off need apply. The financial investment was considerable, no subsidies for the low-incomed. This is a pity, because otherwise, I think co-housing is a great idea, and could even have a revolutionary impact on the way we do housing if we work at it enough to nurture the concept and create an accessible infrastructure where no one would be turned away from this opportunity because of having to live on a low income. The idea of a group of people, families, couples and singles of all ages pooling resources and time to actually live in a specially designed complex of townhouses together is really quite tempting. Everyone would have their own home, their own space: bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. And there would be communal space: kitchen, dining hall, lounge, workshops and studios, gardens and play and outdoor relaxation areas. Sound utopic? Well, yes? Is it? Um...No.
Because too many would be excluded due to their lack of income. And this makes co-housing a lovely concept but as a reality, elitist and excluding. The people most in need of this opportunity would have the least possible access. It is axiomatic that chronic poverty and low incomes are major stressors that lead to other health and social problems. If we were to work at creating, building and sustaining micro-communities with true diversity, reflected not only in nationality and race or in sexual orientation, but also income levels, I think we would be on our way to addressing successfully some of the major stressors in our cities that also aggravate our mental health and crime statistics.
Of course the opposition to this direction is considerable. In this country, and notably in my province, people have a notorious tendency of electing governments that work against their own interests. I am referring to the tax-slashing, small government-loving neoliberal fanatics who have been ripping to shreds social infrastructures and public safety nets all over the world. The kind of mentality that has made President Dump a horrifying reality.
To make affordable housing and a healthy sense of community a reality, the free market has got to be kicked out of housing. There is no alternative. After decades of the real estate moguls getting carte blanche from our politicos, housing in many cities, notably Vancouver, has become out of reach to anyone who is not already very well-off. This does absolute squat to build community and everything to undermine and destroy it. It is tragic that the development corporations have been allowed to buy their way into our governments and in many ways are calling the tune because through their unbridled greed and hubris these avaricious monsters are ruining this country.
Control over housing has got to be returned to those who need it most. The People. And our concept of housing has got to change from a private investment towards generating personal wealth through equity to a common good that allows people to thrive and grow together in community. This is diametrically opposed to the kind of vile consumerist nonsense that we are brainwashed with but for our survival as human beings we are going to have to start questioning our values and overthrowing the very selfish illusions that the free market and consumerist pop culture have been using to lure and brainwash us.
Once this begins to happen then I think we can also become the kind of society that promotes wellbeing, wellness and a healthy, inclusive participation. Not a communist sameness, no less brainless individualism, but a living dynamic that balances and integrates the collective and the personal good into a living and powerful dance.
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