An unusual type of volunteer hostel in Europe: cohousing

Cohousing is a new kind of cohabitation, in which neighbors have joint dinners, raise children together. In simple words, a voluntary hostel. Several families live here, and the rent in such communities is divided equally.

History. This cohabitation originated in Denmark in the 1960s and quickly crossed the borders of all of Europe and even moved to America. The Danes realized that by uniting they could improve living conditions, take better care of children and share bills.

Arrangement. Usually? While living in cohousing, each family has its own space (usually bedroom, toilet, bathroom), but the community also chooses common places where people can communicate. For example, kitchen or dining room, living room, library, yard, laundry and so on. All members of the community are involved in cleaning and cooking. They choose which day and which members of the community do it. There is even such a thing as a shared car.

Benefit. Nowadays, a lot of people have become addicted to gadgets, we prefer to stay at home and hardly know how to build strong bonds with people, but cohousing is a great entry. This is a deliberate choice of communication.

In addition to the economic benefits in the community, residents travel together for food, arrange joint dinners. Families with children exchange experiences, and retirees can feel important and needed.

In cohousing, the ideas of democracy are well developed, because all decisions are made by consensus, whether it is accepting new families or buying equipment.