The Cohousing Handbook: Building a Place for Community (Paperback)

by Chris ScottHanson (Author), Kelly ScottHanson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Cohousing offers an end to the isolation of the single-family suburban home. Balancing community and personal privacy, cohousing is a chance to create a modern village in an urban or rural setting. Residents own their own homes and can gather in common areas to share meals and socialize. An increasingly popular form of housing in both Europe and North America, cohousing addresses and alleviates many of the demands and pressures of modern life-everything from day care to aging at home is easier with the help of your neighbors.

As pioneers in the development of cohousing in North America, Chris and Kelly ScottHanson offer individuals and new groups a wealth of information and practical hints on how the process works. The Cohousing Handbook covers every element that goes into the creation of a cohousing project, including group processes, land acquisition, finance and budgets, construction, development professionals, design considerations, permits, approvals and membership. This revised and updated edition includes an expanded marketing chapter, as well as a foreword by Gifford Pinchot.

A source of comfort and inspiration for those who want to create their ideal community, The Cohousing Handbook is a groundbreaking and practical guide to building a better society one neighborhood at a time-a must-have for the growing number of people who want to create a cohousing community.

Chris and Kelly ScottHanson are acknowledged leaders in the development of cohousing, and are co-owners of Cohousing Resources, LLC. Chris is also president and CEO of Seattle-based Construction & Development Services, Inc., responsible for overseeing numerous cohousing projects from land acquisition through construction throughout North America. Kelly is CEO of Eco-Development, LLC, providing marketing, startup guidance and membership advice for numerous cohousing and ecovillage projects. They both live and work on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

About the Author
Chris ScottHanson is President and CEO of Seattle-based Construction & Development Services Inc., and co-owner of Cohousing Resources LLC. Responsible for overseeing numerous cohousing projects from land acquisition through construction, Chris is an acknowledged cohousing expert throughout North America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: New Society Publishers; Revised edition (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865715173
• ISBN-13: 978-0865715172
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #469,684 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cohousing in a box!, January 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cohousing Handbook: Building a Place for Community (Paperback)

Chris Hanson has laid out for the reader a step by step guide to starting your own cohousing community. A must have for any cohouser, but definately not the first book you want to read to learn about the cohousing way of life. Durant and McCammant's excellent book fills that roll, just as this book fills it's intended role. If you are contemplating starting or joining an existing group, buy this book. It will guide you through the process step by step. We're not trying to reinvent the wheel, so we may as well learn from those who have paved that road for us!

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Cohousing, April 12, 2005

By	Kate Kaemerle (Seattle, Washington USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you're involved with cohousing, you need this book. It gives you all the knowledge and tools you need to be successful in building a cohousing community. The Cohousing Handbook provides guidance on everything from forming a group to land acquisition and construction to marketing and legal issues. It also provides clear steps to follow for each segment of the process along with forms, resources and sample documents. Why re-invent the wheel when it's all here for you to adapt for your own community?

The authors have been involved with dozens of cohousing communities across the country and have a deep understanding of what's involved at every step of the cohousing journey. Whether you currently live in or plan to live in cohousing, are an architect or developer or other professional working with a cohousing project, I wouldn't go to another cohousing meeting without The Cohousing Handbook in hand.

5.0 out of 5 stars How to Book, September 9, 2008

By	Jan D. Vancort - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are interested in CoHousing this is a must read!!
Also a very good guide to starting a cohousing group.