The Cohousing Company

September 2024 Newsletter

Jessica Morse, running for California's Congressional District 3, visiting Nevada City Cohousing's common dinner

Upcoming Events

September 2024

• New Book Release: One Life, Live It! by Charles Durrett
• Living Sustainably in Neuro-Inclusive Community Presentation Recap (Nevada County, CA)
• A New Common House for Compass Commons Cohousing (Langley, BC)
• Newt Crossing Cohousing Common House Workshop Recap (Port Townsend, WA)
• Training Opportunities in October: Study Group One (Aging Successfully) and How to Address Homelessness in Your Town

New Book Release: One Life, Live It! by Charles Durrett

Sólheimar Ecovillage and the Importance of Neuro-Inclusive Communities

With Foreword by Desiree Kameka Galloway, Director of the Autism Housing Network and Lead Consultant at Neuro-Inclusive Housing Solutions

We are thrilled to announce the release of a captivating new book that is sure to inspire and enlighten: One Life, Live It! by Charles Durrett. Officially launched on August 1, 2024, this groundbreaking book delves into the extraordinary story of Sólheimar, an ecovillage in Iceland that stands as a model of neuro-inclusivity and sustainable living.

In One Life, Live It!, Charles Durrett, a renowned author and advocate for community design, takes us on a journey to Sólheimar, an ecovillage unlike any other. Designed with the specific needs of neurodiverse individuals in mind, Sólheimar is a shining example of how thoughtful design can foster a supportive and vibrant community for everyone.

Where to Buy: Our Website & Amazon

Through rich storytelling and detailed accounts, the book highlights the importance of creating communities that celebrate and support neurodiversity. Durrett presents Sólheimar as a model for how we can build neuro-inclusive spaces that respect and uplift every individual's potential, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.

The book offers practical insights into the principles and practices that make Sólheimar a beacon of hope for sustainable and inclusive living. It challenges readers to rethink conventional approaches, advocating for environments where all people, regardless of their cognitive differences, can live meaningful and fulfilling lives.

With its focus on real-world solutions and its call to action, One Life, Live It! is both a guide and an inspiration for anyone interested in the intersection of sustainability, community living, and neuro-inclusivity.

The author presenting the book to the President of Iceland, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson in July. From the Office of the President: “President Jóhannesson is indeed a great supporter of Sólheimar (in fact, that‘s where he went on his first, official visit after he took office as President of Iceland in 2016). As such, your upcoming book has certainly piqued his interest.”

To celebrate the launch, Charles Durrett will be hosting a series of virtual events and discussions. Be sure to follow our Website, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for updates on these exciting events and more information about the book.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore a vision of community that is innovative, inclusive, and inspiring. Order your copy of One Life, Live It! today and join us in celebrating this remarkable new work.

A Note from The Author



“This book is about the nexus of community and quality-of-life for those with cognitive differences. What keeps ringing back to me is how happy the residents at Sólheimar are, and how I wish everyone had this kind of opportunity.” -Charles Durrett

Praise for One Life, Live It!

“Bullseye.”

- Dr. Bill Thomas

“I recently purchased a copy of One Life, Live It! at the National Cohousing Conference. It is a beautifully written and illustrated story of a Neuro-Inclusive Community in Iceland. It touched me deeply. It demonstrates how important it is to help neurodivergent folks reach their potential.”

- Marty Maskall, Editor, The Attitude Treasury & The Athena Treasury, collections of inspiring quotations. Founding Resident, FairOaksEcoHousing.org 

“It is a remarkable and clearly described tale about the power of cohousing.”

- Dr. Søren E. Skovlund

"Outstanding!...such an important issue and an amazing example and case study. I'm not done reading it yet and it has brought me to tears a number of times. Such a wonderful community, for and by wonderful humans and sweet souls. A heartful, informative, and inspiring book."

-Baja

“As the father of a 35-year-old adult child with autism, what I loved about this book was the reality of community for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Picture a welcoming home and treating each other as friends…so uplifting. We get beaten down so much as caregivers/parents – wondering what will happen after we are gone. This blessed book is a lifesaver in providing a sense of possibility…reality-based hope.”

- Dan

Help us Grow the Movement for Neuro-Inclusive Communities by Submitting Your Review to Amazon!

The book aims to inspire the establishment of similar communities in the North America, sparking movements towards building neighborhoods that celebrate and support neurodiversity. You can help us grow this movement by leaving a review for One Life, Live It! on Amazon.

Living Sustainably in Neuro-Inclusive Community

Nevada County, CA

Public Presentation & Community Launch Recap

On August 6th, 2024, Charles delved into the promising concept and possibility of neuro-inclusive cohousing in Nevada County, CA, a progressive approach that aims to create supportive, adaptable living environments for individuals with diverse neurological needs.

The presentation, held at Madelyn Helling library, brought together a diverse audience including community leaders, housing developers, and members of the public interested in innovative housing solutions. The event highlighted how neuro-inclusive cohousing can address the unique challenges faced by people with various neurological conditions, such as autism and Down's syndrome.

Moving Forward:

The presentation concluded with a call to action for community members and interested households to come to a Saturday meeting, where the group discussed their next steps in making their neuro-inclusive community dreams a reality. The goal was clear: to create environments where everyone, regardless of their neurological makeup, can thrive and feel at home.

Attendees left inspired and motivated, with a deeper understanding of how neuro-inclusive cohousing can pave the way for more equitable and supportive communities.

The group now has great momentum; we’re helping them to grow their group membership and now looking at various potential sites in Nevada City and Grass Valley, CA.

Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to get involved in this transformative initiative. To be involved with this amazing group of people, please email Phil and Laurie at ndcoho@currently.com, and sign up for updates here.

New Common House for Compass Commons Cohousing Langely, BC

Public Presentation & Community Launch Recap

We were honored to be invited by Compass Commons Cohousing to come up to Langeley, BC to facilitate a Common House Workshop with the future residents on July 27–28, and it was a GREAT SUCCESS!

The weekend was chock-full of amazing ideas and inspirations, bursting with vibrant energy and creativity. Participants shared a wealth of amazing ideas and inspirations, all fueled by the collaborative spirit that truly defines cohousing.

The enthusiasm in the room was palpable, showcasing just how powerful community-driven design can be. It was a joyous celebration of innovation and connection, and we couldn't be more proud to be part of such a transformative experience and this affordable common house!

Once we arrived back to our office in Nevada City, CA, we were so excited to start working on the workshop write-up and the common house drawing set, so we could capture all the amazing ideas that the future residents had and turn them into a common house that is warm and giving.

Reach out to Compass Cohousing to learn more about how you can move to this amazing neighbourhood! You can follow them on their facebook page Compass Cohousing or register on their website: https://www.compasscohousing.com/info-session

Newt Crossing Common House Workshop Recap

Port Townsend, WA

And the Upcoming Private House Workshop

We are excited to share that Newt Crossing Cohousing's Common House Workshop, held on the weekend of July 20th–21st, was a remarkable success! Charles Durrett and Nadthachai from The Cohousing Company traveled to Port Townsend, WA, to lead this pivotal design workshop, and the results exceeded expectations.

The workshop kicked off with a review of the site design drawings developed by The Cohousing Company. This critical feedback session allowed participants to ensure that the site plan aligned with the vision and requirements established in previous workshops. Any necessary adjustments to the architectural geometry were discussed and agreed upon by everyone, ensuring that the design accurately reflected the group's goals.

With the site design finalized, the workshop moved into an invigorating brainstorming session focused on the common house. The future residents showed incredible enthusiasm and creativity, contributing a wealth of inspiring ideas. Key topics of discussion included accessibility, affordability, and how the community can collectively enhance their living experience.

The collaborative energy in the room was palpable, with participants exploring innovative solutions and creative designs to meet their shared needs. This dynamic exchange of ideas is a testament to the power of community-driven design and the strong commitment of the future residents to creating a vibrant and inclusive cohousing environment.

As we look back on this successful workshop, we are filled with optimism for the future of Newt Crossing Cohousing. The insights gained and the collective vision shared during this event will be instrumental in shaping a common house that truly embodies the spirit of community and cooperations.

The group now has great momentum, and we are extremely excited to get this project rolling and going.

If you are interested in living in a cohousing community in Washington state, please consider joining Newt Crossing in Port Townsend, WA for their Private House Programming & Design Workshop on the weekend of September 28–30, facilitated by The Cohousing Company. There are still a few homes available in the community, but they’re sure to go quickly. This is a semi-rural village with all of the advantages of the vibrant town of Port Townsend next door. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting group and help shape your future home.

For questions and to register, please email Eva Holm at newt@olympus.net.

For more information about this workshop, please visit: https://www.newtcrossing.org/

Upcoming Learning Opportunities with Charles Durrett

Study Group 1: Aging Successfully & Professional Development Certificates through Antioch University Continuing Education

Books by Charles Durrett

Books have played a major role from the beginning in terms of getting cohousing to this country and built in your town, starting with our first book Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves (The European Story). Bookstores normally play a key role in culture change in general, and cohousing is no exception.



Many groups have contacted the publisher (New Society Press and John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) directly to get bulk discounts, and I find that successful projects get started when lots of folks do this fun homework. I usually need to give a dozen copies of Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities, Senior Cohousing: A Community Approach to Independent Living and Cohousing Communities: Designing for High-Functioning Neighborhoods away to planners, banks, neighbors, mayors, new residents, local architects, builders, and so on—to give them context. It saves the group thousands and thousands of hours, dollars, and delays, and most importantly makes for a better project.

Cohousing is more than a sound bite; it is cultural pivot, and it takes folks doing some fun research first. Seattle and the surrounding areas have about a dozen cohousing communities today largely because the bookstores in town have sold more than 1,000 copies of Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities and the San Francisco area has over 20 cohousing communities largely because the book has sold more than 2,000 copies there.

Cohousing Communities: Designing for High-Functioning Neighborhoods

Creating Cohousing: Building Sustainable Communities

with Kathryn McCamant

The Senior Cohousing Handbook: A Community Approach to Independent Living

Also available in Spanish

A Solution to Homelessness in Your Town

Also available HERE

Revitalizing Our Small Towns

Cohousing's role in positively effecting waning small towns.

State-Of-The-Art Cohousing: Lessons Learned from Quimper Village

with Alexandria Levitt

Happily Ever Aftering in Cohousing: A Handbook for Community Living

Finding A Site: Cohousing From the Ground Up

Growing Community: How to Find New Cohousing Members

Facilitator Guide - Senior Cohousing Study Group 1 Guides

Participant Guide - Senior Cohousing Study Group 1 Guides

Architecture for Ageing Population

with the staff of Images Publishing

The Cohousing Company