Houston is set to welcome its first cohousing community, marking a significant shift toward collaborative living in Texas. Located in the East End at 114 Delmar St., this innovative development features 33 condos built around a shared courtyard and is scheduled to open its doors in January, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. Kelli Soika, a vibrant proponent of cohousing and a resident at a previous community in Colorado, extolled the everyday ease and supportive neighborhood dynamic that cohousing brings, stating, "Everyone's needs were being met in a really easy way," citing experiences from her past community.
The FOX 26 Houston outlined the multiple benefits of such a living arrangement, including communal meals, shared responsibilities like childcare, and a focus on sustainability, highlighting features like solar panels and geothermal systems, while residents such as Lynn Morstad anticipate the communal sharing of resources as cost-effective, saying, "A $40 meal out might be $109 per person."
Communal spaces, rather than being mere amenities, are fundamental to the cohousing ethos, encouraging residents to dine together, connect, and share resources. According to the same Houston Chronicle report, the development aims to foster true community spirit, a feature reminiscent of the cohousing movement's origins in Denmark during the 1960s. The local developer, David Kelley, brought his real estate expertise to the project, ensuring many of the condos sold before construction was complete.
Cohousing communities represent a departure from conventional housing in the U.S., and this project illustrates a growing trend in the wake of the pandemic and increasing living costs; with CoHousing Houston reporting that 31 of the available 33 units, with prices ranging from $300,000 to $800,000, already snapped up, and future residents eagerly awaiting the chance to move in by the year's end, as per information shared by FOX 26 Houston.
The Texas community features one to four-bedroom condos and amenities such as a garden, play area, water feature for both children and wildlife, and an innovative geothermal heating and air conditioning system that leverages the earth's natural temperature for a more energy-efficient living. Additional facilities include a coworking space and planned community events, nurturing the shared sense of responsibility and friendship among residents, a sentiment echoed by resident Lynn Morstead who, according to the Houston Chronicle, felt that familial bonds had already begun to expand even before moving in.
