Starting points

This is a great co-op network in the UK.

http://www.radicalroutes.org.uk/

Real basic research... anyone know of Peterborough Housing Co-op in Christchurch?

they've got 4 houses, with the fences down - looks like the structure we discussed on Sunday night.

and the Otakaro Land Trust who owns them can help fund other coops.: http://www.otakaro.org.nz/

Also, attached is a good basic how to guide from Radical Routes.

Let's start looking for real estate already?

This is amazing. @jonlemmon

@richarddbartlett check out the Otakaro Land Trust. Do you wanna repeat what you were telling me about the housing co-op group buying land in Wellington? @rowanbrooks

Mine and six other families are currently figuring out whether we want to build what we're calling a hamlet in Welly using these guys — the Living Ark Trust. See attached chapter from them from the book Homes People Can Afford.

Thanks Jesse. My bro @matthewbartlett has been working with an architecture group called Living Ark. He and some church friends are looking at buying some inner city land and putting multiple houses on it with some degree of collectivity. I don't have many details so I've added him to this group to share anything he knows.

I also have a crew of Newtown friends that are starting to think about long term co-housing arrangements, which are probably 1-2 years behind the pace of Matt's group. Seems like a long slow conversation though, so now's a good time to start!

The Living Ark Trust stuff looks really good, though not what I had in mind specifically (not that that is a barrier to anything!).

Personally I'm interested in how a house(s) could be owned by a co-op/trust with residents as members. While they are a resident, co-op members would then also be a part owner of the property they live in. This would allow for the benefits of ownership (lets dig up the lawn! lets get insulation and a heat pump, etc) without a requirement that any individual having large amounts of capital or a mortgage. So while there would be a bit more commitment timewise to living in the house as a member, as far as financial commitment it would be much like a normal rental situation. Rent would go towards paying off loanstock and the co-op's mortgage and towards an upkeep/maintenance fund.

@richarddbartlett do you know where your Newtown friends sit relative to that model? might they be interested in joining this discussion?

Thanks @rowanbrooks good to get a bit more context. I've added @hannahmackintosh from Newtown.

Hannah do you want to give us a very rough sketch of what you folk have been talking about?

Just added @sofia in here too!

Wow, awesome that the Otakaro Land Trust exists. Also awesome that this group exists. :) Let's keep it going!!