Is communal living for you? Sudbury group wants to create 'intentional community'

A group in Sudbury, Ont. is hoping to create a new style of neighbourhood where people can have their own privacy, but share space and chores.

They call it anintentional community, or cohousing.

Unlikeco-op housing, intentional housinglets you have your owndwelling but share thecommon spaces around you,includingthings such as activity rooms, a kitchen, and a living room.

Monique Fuchs is one of the people behind bringing the idea to Sudbury.

It's in early stages, but she hopes a piece of land in the city can be purchased and built on.

Fuchs started looking into the idea five years ago when she heard of similar communities popping up in the United States and British Columbia.

Cohousing supports all generations, Fuchs said

"When the children were small it was easy to get to know your neighbours,"Fuchssaid.

She said an intentional community can provide support to people of all ages, especially if they don't have family close by.

Youngfamilies might nothave a lot of money and couldshare expenses with otherpeople, she said.

"You can come home from work and while the children play together, and someone has prepared a meal for you in the common room," she said.

Projects, gardens, chicken coops

Keeping the area nice is also a shared responsibility, she said.

"[They could]work on common projects, gardens, chicken coops," she said. "There are so many different styles of cohousing so it's up to the group to decide."

Fuchs and her friends are now looking for like minded people who may be interesting in living in a cohousing situation in Sudbury.

They are hosting an information session tonight at the Greater Sudbury Library Main Branch on Mackenzie Street at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23.

Some neighbourhoods take a few years to find the right people and the right location, she said.

"I am really motivated. I'm already scouting out areas."