Traditional Development vs. Cohousing Development

How does a traditional development differ from a cohousing development?  At Silver Birch Village we are not just building houses, we are building a community.  

When a traditional developer builds a complex, he does many of the same things that a cohousing group does, buy property, hire professionals as needed, get permits, arrange construction financing, hire a general contractor and so on.  Their marketing staff sells the houses.  What they would not do is:

• Involve the future owners in designing the project.
• Find a cohesive group to create a sense of community.
• Establish a process for decision making and governance.

These are the main attributes which make Silver Birch Village different from mainstream housing developments. 

Most housing choices for seniors are not self-directed.  Generally, independent living or assisted living developments are owned by large corporations where residents do not have a say on most aspects of their daily lives.  It is an arrangement where all services are provided for a fee. 

Cohousing requires that a person participate in the running of the complex and engages in the community.  This investment in time and effort goes towards building a support system that will be there as we age.  This promotes healthy aging and goes a long way to counter the loneliness and isolation that many seniors feel in traditional settings. 

By valuing our combined skills and abilities, Silver Birch Village will become a place where independence is respected but at the same time there is a commitment to facing the ups and downs of aging together. 

If you are interested in finding out more about Silver Birch Village, join us for a 1 hour zoom workshop on April 28^th at 11:00 am or 7:00 pm.  To register, email Ann at annframpton@gmail.com.