OREGON ECOBUILDING COHOUSING PROJECT
Formation Stage of Community dated July 2003
(Also read our appeal letter)

We are a group of people dedicated to creating a place where lives are simplified, the Earth is respected, children play together in safety, and living in community with neighbors comes naturally. We intend to retrofit a suburban apartment complex to become Oregon Ecobuilding Cohousing within a sustainable, ecological, green philosophy.

Cohousing is "Creation of a traditional village in the midst of complex modern life in a sea of suburban isolation. In the US the model has deep traditions in American culture including neighborliness, cooperation, and independence." McCamant & Durrett

Description of Apartment Complex:
Three one-story buildings with three apartments of two bedrooms in each are arranged around a central parking area. Mature landscaping with Rhodies, Azaleas, several Pines and Maples, 2 Birch, 1 Walnut & 2 Pie Cherries.

Nine apartments at 784 sq .ft. with Washer/Dryer hookup and Dishwasher. All Electric baseboard and water heater. Common Storage Shed 14' x 16' for mower, paint and miscellaneous equipment. New 6' Chain link Fence with privacy panels surrounds complex. All units have patio, garden shed and grass area for garden. Recently insulation added in floor and attics for energy weatherization program. All new energy efficient windows with screens, rear full length screened sliding french doors, and metal front doors with sliding glass in screen doors. Need to investigate the possibility of tax rebates on development of renewable solar energy for the complex.

Benefits: Cohousing means a safe and supportive environment, opportunities for social interaction without sacrificing privacy, sharing skills and talents, affordability to own your apartment by reducing living expense with usage of Common House facilities and shared equipment. Cohousing is ideal for single parents for children's playmates and chores, to lower food and travel costs with bulk buys and car pooling, time saved with less meal preparation and onsite activities. Use of Consensus decision making is empowering!

Funding Objective: Community Common Apt. Unit purchase and renovation to be funded by grant writing if possible. Renovation of entire complex will also be targeted with grants. Each of 8 Two Bedroom Apartments to be owned individually under a Condominium Agreement with monthly fee for water, sewer, garbage and recycling disposal, administration, all joint complex expenses, and expenses as utilities of Community Unit. Details to be decided by consensus using "Nonviolent Communication, a Language of Compassion" by Marshall Rosenberg, PhD. Management thru OEBN nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation. Green building quotes include natural flooring as marmoleum, new formaldehyde-free kitchen cabinets, solar power conversion, and use of non-toxic paints. We plan permaculture and organic vegetable gardens with edible landscaping.

Resources for above: available from Multnomah and Vancouver, WA Libraries
"Cohousing, A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves" by McCamant and Durrett
"The Cohousing Handbook - Building a Place for Community" by Hanson

Purpose of Community Common Apartment is a one centrally located unit of 9 Office and Resource Library for members of Oregon Ecobuilding Network nonprofit community
Meeting Room with Bulletin Board
Community Kitchen and Dining for shared meals
Laundry Facility for complex owners use is scent-free, bleach-free
Exercise Equipment to share
Specialty Kitchen Appliances: Blender, Juicer, Nut Grinder, Outdoor Electric Grill, Food
Dryer, Canning Pressure Cookers, Convection Oven, Toaster Oven, Water Filter
Sauna Room (purchased)
Garden Tools shared
Guest Rental Hide-a-bed
Children's Play Area
Community Computer for Email and other software (requested from Intel)
Arts and craft equipment
Large Freezer (purchased)
TV either for rented videos or cable for all to watch

Advantages to Location: Easy commuting to city income, close by shops for biking or walking. Bally's Club, Fred Meyers shopping, Lowe's Building Supplies are walking distance. Drive10 minutes to Columbia River, Blue Lake Park, and Sandy River Parks. Complex is accessed by private drive. Thus, it is not located on a busy street. This neighborhood of Troutdale area along the Columbia River was recommended by Bob Amundson, PhD as best bet for outdoor air quality in metro Portland. Columbia River Gorge breezes clear the air. New zoning of Neighborhood Commercial is "small scale retail businesses in a pedestrian-oriented streetscape". Good for those of us with home businesses.

Disadvantages to Location: Camas Mill is east diagonally across the Columbia River. Small Airport has some overhead flights. Poor soil at complex, some may have been sprayed with pre-emergent herbicide. Transformers are 6 blocks to west.

Proposed Renovation:  All kitchen cabinets need replacement of original 25 year-old particle board. Closet doors and shelving also could be replaced. Minimum 4 units will need tobacco smoke remediation. 8 units definitely need complete carpet removal with replacement by either natural marmoleum, hardwood, or tile for durability, sustainability and cleanliness. Need to investigate the possibility of tax rebates on development of renewable solar energy for the complex to reduce heating and cooling expense in the long term.

Retrofit Cohousing N Street "We support each other in difficulty and celebrate in success" 16 houses with back fences taken down- either owned rented or partnership. "Each household sets its own culture for visiting, borrowing, and participating. Each of us can be private when we want to be."
www.dcn.davis.ca.us/go/nstreet

"The real power of community is in the hard times" by McCamant & Durrett

Cohousing Developments are currently a model to avert potential homelessness of all renters who do not have a sufficient support system and to provide community. Becoming personally sustainable is valuable to the individual and to our society.

Becoming an owner of an apartment versus renter gives control over your living space, affordability, and investing in healthy remodeling alleviates the physical and financial stress of health problems from indoor air pollution. We will have restrictive covenants for no use of herbicides, gas barbecues, fabric dryer sheets, perfumes, cleaning solvents, etc. for a green building agreement.

With cohousing our hard-earned money is invested for each person's retirement future, sustainability of society and not discarded in rent.  Tragic stories multiply when there is no clean, secure, healthy place to live and work.

You are welcome to join us! Any assistance in development of management team and referrals to potential funding sources are welcome. This is a community in the process of formation. An information packet is tax deductible at $20.00.

When successful with your help, our nonprofit process could be a demonstration for others to become OWNERS - not renters  - as a much preferable investment for future years of friendship in community.

Towards quality sustainable living for all,

Board of Directors, Oregon Ecobuilding Network
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation

(Also read updated appeal letter)