The Cohousing Crew

The Cohousing Crew

A Cohousing Initiative

Designing a cohousing community in or near Brussels,
where independence and community sit alongside one another.Concevoir une communauté de cohabitation à Bruxelles ou dans ses environs, où l'autonomie et la vie en communauté vont de pair.Het ontwerpen van een cohousinggemeenschap in of nabij Brussel, waar zelfstandigheid en gemeenschapszin hand in hand gaan.

Who we are

In March 2024, what would become the founding group had a first gathering to see if the idea of living together as a co-housing community was a dream to pursue.Since then, we've met every three to four months, scoping our values, understanding legal arrangements, discussing finance and - perhaps hardest of all - discussing location.We are now some seven households of various nationalities and backgrounds
(although English is our common language).

Concept

We envisage a cohousing project of around 8–12 independent units in or near Brussels.Ideally, the location would offer good access to the city (within approximately 20–30 minutes by public transport), while also providing access to green space.Our approach to the project—and the choice of location—is guided by the values we aim to live by, including sustainability, connection, and quality of everyday life.We are seeking a property that can be adapted into individual homes with some shared spaces, allowing for a balance between private living and community life.W have developed a shared set of values and a clear sense of the type of location we are looking for, and are now actively exploring viable properties.We expect the community to take shape over time. Households may join and move in at different phases, depending on individual circumstances, life stage, and housing needs.

Values

• Full Values Statement EN

Our values lie at the heart of our community expression, you can read the full statement via the link above, and here is a summary:Independence and community
We value private space and autonomy, alongside opportunities for connection, mutual support, and shared life.Sustainable living
We aim to live modestly and responsibly, reducing our environmental impact through how we design and use our homes.Diversity, openness, and respect for different beliefs
We bring different backgrounds, perspectives, and beliefs. For some, faith is an important part of life; we respect each person’s freedom and create space for this diversity.Shared responsibility
We co-own and care for shared spaces, contributing time, skills, and resources in a spirit of fairness, trust, and flexibility.Respectful communication
We commit to open, honest, and constructive communication, and to addressing challenges in a collaborative way.