Howch Could be Right up your Street
Kate Moran, Chair Hastings Older Women’s Cohousing (Howch) provides an update on the project: how it’s going and what they are doing to secure a suitable site.
So what is cohousing and why should we be looking at it? According to Katie McCamant, president of CoHousing Solutions: “[It] is about living the good life while using less of the world’s resources, and having a good time doing it.”
CREDIT: David Bruce
With Howch’s affordable Cohousing scheme, we will be able to meet the long-term needs of women who have been priced out of the local rental and property market. Much more than just a place to live, it will be full of life where we can share space, time and other facilities with each other and also contribute to the wider community.
Our pioneering vision is to combine the Community Land Trust (CLT) ethic with Cohousing: the Community retains the longer-term freehold interest and share in the day-to-day operation of the scheme.
Howch is now out and about in the community, gathering support for our idea, which combines modular built homes with companionship, shared responsibility and measurable health benefits.
We are keen to secure a site owned by the Council which is the right size and location for our innovative scheme – focusing initially on single older women and in the future looking into an intergenerational project. And like most community projects, we need to raise our profile to gain the support we need to succeed.
We’ve already had a stand in Kings Road (12th June) and at Priory Road market (24th June) and we’ll be back in Kings Road on Saturday 3rd July from 12 until 2, so please swing by and have a chat about how we can build better and live sustainably. You’ll know us by our vibrant banner Independent Together which sums us up.
We had some interesting conversations in June, but also heard of two eviction notices served on elderly women: a frightening time for them.
As well as appearing regularly in Hastings and St Leonards throughout the Summer months we have a few other schemes brewing. Let’s hope the Council listen to us before we have to re-enact the Lady Godiva legend!
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