Community-led housing is based on the age-old adage of neighbours supporting neighbours.
A new book by community housing experts Ronaye Matthew and Margaret Critchlow puts a modern spin on that concept by laying out the framework for how people, organizations, and municipalities can work together to create housing that meets long-term goals and needs.
Community Led Housing: A Cohousing Development Approach, prepares professionals and future residents on how to navigate financial and legal structures, work with local municipalities, and transition from development phases to living in the community.
The authors are well known throughout Western Canada for their success in addressing the increasing demand for housing that’s enjoyable, affordable, environmentally sustainable, and supports community connections for all ages.
West Wind Harbour in Sooke, Raven’s Crossing in Sidney, Little Mountain in Vancouver, and Driftwood Village in North Vancouver are examples of the co-housing projects completed in 2021 that were guided by Matthew and Critchlow.
“The world needs this book,” Charles Montgomery, author of Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design said in a media release. “Community Led Housing delivers essential tools for those who dream of building a community where neighbours know, trust, and support one another. Ronaye Matthew helped bring my own community’s co-housing dream to life. In this powerful book, Matthew and co-author Margaret Critchlow offer the wisdom to help others do the same.”
While many books explain why community-led housing is good, Montgomery said no other book gets into the details of how to make it happen.
Their book bridge the gap between grassroots housing groups, and architects, city planners, commercial lenders and developers, he added.
The authors will be attending a book launch in Sooke on Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. at Harbourside Cohousing at 6669 Horne Rd. Those interested in attending should visit harbourside.ca to reserve a spot, or for more information and details on an online session at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 23.
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