WHAT IS COLLECTIVE OR COOPERATIVE HOUSING?

DEFINITION OF HOUSING COOPERATIVE via the Seattle Cooperative Housing Network:

 

Housing co-ops are distinct from regular shared houses in that they share resources such as food and cooked meals to take advantage of large household size through economies of scale and division of labor. At the same time they foster a socially and emotionally supportive environment for their members and often facilitate community gatherings. Co-ops generally use consensus decision making and follow the Cooperative Principles. While some co-ops may own their own property, for the sake of this network, the cooperative principle of shared ownership refers to the ownership of the community its self rather than the property it occupies.