Can we live together?

Photo: Contributed - Barb Vansickle

Prairie Sky co-housing in Calgary.

A group promoting cooperative housing in the Vernon area is hoping to interest others in the concept.

The Vernon Village Cohousing Community group is promoting a concept of private home ownership in a multigenerational setting, where residents have close relationships with neighbours.

Barb and Mel Vansickle moved to Vernon when they retired but despite all the benefits of a warmer winter and beautiful surroundings, they began to feel isolated.

Co-housing, said Barb Vansickle, is not about communal living but owning a home while sharing resources and facilities with neighbours.

“The Danes devised this style of living to alleviate some of the child care stress and meal preparation when both partners are working,” said Vansickle. “It came to North America as an alternative to institutionalizing our elders.”

Vansickle said two pieces of land, one within Vernon city limits and one in the “suburbs” have been identified as possible co-housing sites.

There is interest, said Vansickle. About 100 people attended a meeting on the subject last year.

The group is inviting those who would like to learn more about co-housing to a meeting at the Schubert Centre on Saturday, Mar. 12, 1-3 p.m.

More information can be found on the Vernon Village Cohousing Community website.