New Community Vision’s mission is to promote alternative housing models that are affordable, sustainable and engender healthy, inter-generational communities. Three models have the potential to meet a variety of housing needs.

Housing cooperatives provides residents the opportunity to own a share of a corporation that conveys the right to live in an housing unit which is democratically owned, governed and operated. Many cooperatives have provided affordable housing for thirty years and ownership is often passed from one generation to the next.

Cohousing originated in Denmark in the 1980s. It is based on the idea of a large common house to gather to share meals, tools and resources. The living quarters are individual homes, townhomes or apartments. The indoor and outdoor common areas are designed enhance the community experience. This is a growing trend in the United States with over 100 cohousing developments in various stages of formation.

House sharing, although not for everyone, may work well for some. For this to work well, the home must be large enough for each person to have personal space and privacy. Members must be compatible and committed to the harmonious success of the household.

All of these housing models offer the potential for inter-generational interaction, which is far more satisfying and enriching than shuttling seniors, their wisdom and life experience off to separate communities.