Rocky Hill Cohousing

Northhampton, Massachusetts, United States

  • Updated on: May 31, 2023 (almost 2 years ago)
  • Created on: Jan 27, 2005 (over 20 years ago)

Mission Statement

r r r Mission and Values r r r The Mission of Rocky Hill Co-Housing is to be a thriving community of neighbors, whose life together fosters connectedness, learning from each other and living lightly on the earth. We value and strive toward: 1. Supporting and nurturing each community member, from infant to elder, and treating each other with kindness, compassion and respect. 2. Welcoming people of diverse identities, including race, ethnicity, spirituality, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, family composition and socio-economic status. 3. Building relationships and connections through daily interactions, community meals, activities, celebrations, rituals, work and helping one another. 4. Raising children together in community. 5. A decision-making process that builds consensus by soliciting and valuing input from all, ensuring that everyone is heard and resulting in decisions that everyone can agree to live by. 6. Resolving conflicts through honest, direct and respectful communication. 7. Giving our care, time and work to ourselves, our families and homes, our community at Rocky Hill, the wider community and the world. 8. Improving our collective and individual stewardship of the earth and minimizing our impact on the planet. 9. Creating and maintaining an emotional and physical environment that encourages and supports mutual concern and well-being. approved january 9, 2010

Community Description

We have created a neighborhood that recaptures the essence of community, a human environment that fosters interconnectedness, safety, growth, and meaningful life. The physical environment serves the needs and enhances the well-being of the individuals and the community. We wish to live in harmonious relationship to our place on the earth.

Our cohousing neighborhood includes 28 homes (mostly duplexes) clustered around a common house. There are also five "associate member" (privately owned) houses built along the road leading into Rocky Hill Cohousing. We own 28 acres and occupy nine; the remainder is forested.</div>

<div><h3>Links:</h3> <ul> <li><a>http://rockyhillcohousing.org/</a> <li><a>http://www.rockyhillcohousing.org/</a></ul></div>

  • Status: Established (4+ adults, 2+ years)
  • Started Planning: 2001
  • Started Living Together: 2005
  • Visitors Accepted: Yes
  • Open to New Members: Yes
  • Please read the details in Membership below before contacting this community.Send Message
  • Website: http://www.rockyhillcohousing.org/
  • Contact Name: Rocky Hill Cohousing
  • Community Address:
    106 Black Birch Trail
    Florence
    Northhampton, Massachusetts 01062
    United States
  • Location

    Directory Map Placeholder

About

  • Type(s): Cohousing (individual homes within group property)
  • Programs & Activities: cohousing community
  • Location: Small Town or Village

Housing

  • Status: We have land we have developed on
  • Area: 28 acres
  • Current Residence Types: duplexes
  • Current Number of Residences: 28
  • Housing Provided: Purchase
  • Land Owned By: legally a condo community
  • Additional Comments: in 15 buildings 28

Membership

  • Adult Members: 46
  • Child Members: 20
  • Non-Member Residents: 0
  • Percent Women: 61-70%
  • Percent Men: 31-40%
  • Percent Transgender: 1-10%
  • Visitors Accepted: Yes
  • Visitor Process: Email rockyhillcohousing@mail.com.
  • Open to New Members: Yes
  • Membership Process: Meet community via meeting and common meals and then purchase a unit that is for sale

Government

  • Decision Making: Consensus (everyone agrees)
  • Identified Leader: No
  • Leadership Core Group: No
  • Additional Comments: An elected and rotating Board of Trustees

Economics

  • Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
  • Shared Income: None
  • Required Weekly Labor Contribution: 2
  • Open to Members with Existing Debt: Yes
  • Additional Comments: guideline is 6 - 10 hours per month per adult monthly community fee

Sustainability Practices

  • Energy Infrastructure: We are connected to the grid.
  • Current Renewable Energy Generation: Up to 25%
  • Energy Sources: Solar
  • Planned Renewable Energy Generation: 26-49%
  • Current Food Produced: Up to 25%
  • Planned Food Produced: Between 26-49%
  • Food Produced Locally: Between 26-49%

Lifestyle

  • Common Facilities:
    • Common House
    • Garden(s)
    • Vehicle Share
    • Hot tub or hot springs
    • Large Scale Kitchen
    • Swingsets & play areas
    • sledding hill; woods with trails
  • Internet Available: Yes, both the community and individuals provide it
  • Internet Fast?: Yes, it's fine.
  • Cellphone Service: Good for some people.
  • Shared Meals: About once a week
  • Dietary Practices:
    • Omnivorous (plants and animals)
    • Local
    • GMO Free (only non-genetically modified organisms)
    • Mostly Vegetarian
    • Mostly Vegan
    • Dairy-Free
    • Gluten-Free
  • Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No - people may eat however they wish.
  • Special Diets OK: Yes
  • Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.
  • Tobacco Use: No, this community does not permit tobacco use.
  • Common Spiritual Practice(s):
    • Ecumenical (accepts all religions or spiritual practices)
    • Not a particularly spiritual or religious community
    • Christian
    • Buddhist
    • Jewish
    • Protestant
    • Catholic
    • Quaker
    • Unitarian Universalist
    • Atheist
    • Agnostic
  • Education Style(s):
    • Private School off the property
    • Public Schooling
    • Up to each family or individual
  • Healthcare Options: Up to each family, household, or individual

Cohousing

  • Building Site Status: Completed
  • Year Construction Completed: 2006
  • Number of Housing Units: 28
  • Has a Shared Common Building: Yes
  • Architect: Bruce Coldham
  • Developer: Kohl Construction and Rocky Hill Cohousing
  • Commercial Lender: Self-financed

Additional Comments

somewhere between rural and suburban; part of a small college town; town center about 2.5 miles from our community.

Community Network or Organization Affiliations

Coho/US, Cohousing Association of the United States

Fair Housing Laws

This community acknowledges that their listing does not include any potential violations of the Fair Housing Law, or that they do not provide housing. For any questions about this topic please see our Content Policies and contact FIC with any questions or concerns: directory@ic.org.

Keywords

Cohousing community