Building Connections: Innovative Organizations Towards Greater Affordability of Cohousing Development Across Canada
The CCN was successful at securing another Government of Canada Career Launcher grant in 2022 to continue with the research on affordable cohousing options. The focus of the research project was to identify and create a resource list of organizations that can support the creation of affordable cohousing in Canada. These organizations could act as partners or financial contributors (providing grants and/or loans) to cohousing development projects.
Lessons from the UK
In November 2021, the CCN was successful at securing a grant through the Canadian government to fund a research report to explore the United Kingdom’s national network system that has seen increased government support and funding for cohousing. This report provides information about some of the progress that has been made, and suggests recommendations on best practices that Canada can adopt to help more groups form their own communities.
The Best Place to Be? Experience of Older Adults Living in Canadian Cohousing Communities During the COVID 19 Pandemic
The objective of this study was to learn about the experiences of older adults living in a cohousing community during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this qualitative exploratory study, 13 participants living in Canadian cohousing communities were interviewed between October 2021 and January 2022. One key challenge identified focused on some community members not choosing to be vaccinated for COVID-19. The report identifies many positive impacts including the social infrastructure, opportunities for ongoing social engagement, and the physical design of shared indoor and outdoor spaces were beneficial to the physical and mental well-being for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.