FEATURE: Many Families, One Roof – Regina’s first co-housing project

REGINA – For one group of community-minded individuals, family extends beyond their own four walls… to the home next door.

“We’re tired of everybody living isolated lives from their neighbours. You get in your car, you go to work, yes, you have a work network, but when you come home you hardly know your neighbours,” said Dave Lareau.

That’s why they’ve chosen to invest in Regina’s first co-housing project: Prairie Spruce Commons, a lot on Badham Boulevard will eventually house around 50 people, connected by a desire to know their neighbours.

“It’s kind of like all the good aspects of small town living, but in the big city.”

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“In co-housing, we own all our own units, each person, but we share ownership of the communal amenities,” explained Lareau.

That includes a large living area, media room, kids play space and group kitchen, where people can gather when they want company.

“It’s kind of like all the good aspects of small town living, but in the big city,” he explained.

The building is being designed by residents that have already bought into the concept, so as it comes together, so do they.

“We’re all going to know each other before we move in. versus a typical condo where you move in and start, hopeful to meet people, and maybe connect with some of them,” said Lareau.

They got the ball rolling back in July 2013, when a core group decided this was the life they wanted.

“We traveled for a year and I realized, community isn’t dead, but you have to find it and you have to make it,” said Joanne Mortensen .

Mortensen admitted she was initially skeptical of the idea, but since meeting her fellow “co-housers,” her eyes have opened to the possibilities.

“I love doing Christmas baking and canning and things like that. I’m going to have a huge kitchen to do it in and I’m going to have helpers,” she said. “I am completely sold. This is where I want to live. I can hardly wait to move in.”

Mortensen is not alone. 14 of 27 units are already spoken for, despite coming at a premium cost with all of the amenities, but that money could be recouped in the future thanks to green design.

“They have upgraded the insulation in the building, they’ve upgraded the windows, they put in a centralized furnace. There’s grey water recycling, they’re going to be ready for photo-voltaics.”

The price hasn’t deterred Lois Adams, who is close to retirement: “I’ll be losing the community that I work in, so I’m kind of looking forward to having this community.”

She’s also ready to reduce the amount of cleaning and yard work she’s responsible for as she ages. Adam’s mother and brother are also moving in. They hope sibling rivalry won’t get the best of them.

Speaking of conflict, decisions at the co-housing unit will be made by consensus.

“Everybody has to agree to whatever decision it is; they have to be able to live with it and sometimes that takes a little bit longer,” said Henning.

Local lawyer, Marc Kelly says getting everyone on one page can be challenging.

“It’s a great concept, sometimes it’s the execution that creates a lot of problems,” he said. “Not everyone is going to agree on the minutiae or the details.

And those finer points can make all the difference: in Kelly’s experience with condos, he has settled disputes on everything from cleaning up after pets to installing satellite dishes.

“I think ours is going to be the first of many co-housing units in Regina, but it’s always hard when you’re the first one.”

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“All those things that you get to make a decision on in your own home, now you’re having the influence of all these other people,” he said.

However, these families are up for the challenge.

“If there’s a conflict, they have somebody who’s good at sorting out those kinds of things. that’s their job,” said Murray.

They’re using blueprints to get permits and plan to begin construction this summer.

“I think ours is going to be the first of many co-housing units in Regina, but it’s always hard when you’re the first one,” said Mortensen.