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Invitation to meet --->
Never again a Rent Increase
Large communal areas, a small private room: This is a project IN THE PLANNING. But your participation is definitely important, because nothing happens 'by itself' here either...
Living and Working together
With us you will live and work affordably and comfortably, without constant rent increase and without the risk of landlords claiming the property for personal use. Our Shanti initiative is for a communal life in an ecologically optimized, preferably new build with self-build potential, shared by 9-12 people, including occasional guests. The idea is to have flexibility for shaping our 'living together arrangements'.
There will also be opportunities for ethical investors. This way, residents might also move in without needing to invest in a big way themselves. You shouldnt have to be rich, nor poor to live with us.
a) Moving in
Who can move in? Everyone who moves in comes from the so-called "Silver List".
The "assemply of residents" decides on many matters. Does someone want to move in? Neither the 'landlord' nor the building owners need to be consulted. The current residents will handle these things amongst themselves.
Because the community of residents rents the entire building and shares the costs. Whether a vacant room is then used as a living room, second bedroom, children's room, or guest room—or allocated to another resident— this is decided by the residents commitee according to bylaws which will be agreed upon.
The resident's meeting then also decides who, upon application is admitted to the so-called "Silver List" (a person may also be rejected). The residents also manage the occupancy of the apartments, who lives in which room. Including if and to whom a resident who wishes to be temporarily absent, can make his room available.
Anyone who moves as a successor of a resident would initially live here for a three-month trial period. During this time, they enjoy only temporary rights of occupancy and have no say in decisions. If the person then wishes to stay after this period—and if all residents (minus one) agree— they become a full member with voting rights in the resident's assembly.
b) Living Together
It's good if there is a cohesive idea, and if residents have something in common something that connects them, that binds them together. In our case this shall be Yoga. And this is mandatory. If you don't agree and dont participate you would loose your membership in the community and would need to leave.
The residents committe asignes a facilitator/coordinator. This shouldn't be misunderstood. It is part of the concept that the residents (even during the initial setup phase) meet every two weeks for a progress and coordination meeting, perhaps over a meal or by the fireplace. The facilitator joins these meetings. The facilitator's role is to prevent the group from becoming stagnant and to encourage shared activities beyond the immediate day. At these meetings the group will discuss everyday issues, share ideas, or discuss the shopping list — basically anything.
Participation in the progress meetings is voluntary, but attendance is expected because decisions are made and tasks are assigned.
Depending on the wishes of residents, joint activities can be undertaken even during the set-up and planning phase. It is important to remember how crucial it is for everybody to remain open to one another for years to come, even though of course everyone lives their own life.
c) When Farewell approaches...
If someone ever moves out, they'll never forget their Shanti shared life! You and we only have one life, and this our project is something special. A resident who moves out receives their rent- and utility deposit back (but, pls note the said "departure fee") and provided there are no outstanding payments. Services rendered during the tenancy (gardening, artwork, renovations, etc.) remain with the housing community and are not compensated.
What is the "successor arrangement" when a resident moves out? A replacement will always come from the "Silver List." The first 10 persons with the longest waiting time will be contacted first. If they decline, the next 10 persons on the list will be notified and invited.
We'll discuss specific questions and clarify any issues at our progress meetings.
Why Shanti Cohousing?
Not all mothers, artists, working professionals, fathers, single men and women, or even couples want to live alone.
In our project the ratio of communal living space to privately used space will be approximately 50/50. Each of the approx. nine residents will have a small private area and only maybe with a private bathroom and kitchenette.
But living with us will be spacious because of our large communal areas. Everyone will spend a considerable amount of time in the shared space. For example when working in the workshop, or in the music room, or in the shared kitchen. There's a yoga and seminar room, a co-working space, a garden and garage. Depending on the site, there's also a creative wood workshop with tools, and two well equipped kitchens, sauna and guest room. The group might run a market stall or a Shanti-Café, or get involved in the local gardening project working the land.
As mentioned, no matter if you're single or a couple, you'll live in incomparably more spacious accommodation than in the typical one or two-room bedroom flat — and at the same price!
You can grow whatever you need in the garden(project). This saves money and is healthy (we like to be vegetarian).
Below are some nice pictures of 'ecological building and cohousing in process'.
... Generally speaking: apartments, townhouses, villas – doesn't the acquisition of "ownership" in conventional housing simply reinforce the idea of self-interest and separation? Alan disagrees and therefore initiated the Yoga Shanti Shared Living movement.
Even if the individual members of such shared living arrangement may change over time, the concept of yoga fosters a sense of continueity, community and inner identification in the group.
Alan explains: "My aim is to maintain a constantly available option for communal living in the market. And by 'communal living' I mean in a yogic, communally shared living arrangement. I also believe that those who live with others, even if only temporarily, are better off and live much more generously."
If you want to withdraw and prefer to be alone, you'd be in the wrong place here.
We will live together – why?
For many people the idealized family scenario is quite far removed from reality. Here our "self-interest" isn't about quirky eccentricity, but is rather about having the courage to engage with others in a yogic way, even if it is adventurous.
Every resident will notice the difference: those who live with us will enjoy a higher quality of life and live much more generously than people who do not live in our Yoga Shanti shared housing and who are instead "stuck" in their regular 1 or 2 room-apartments or their oversized family home.
We offer a vibrant alternative lifestyle, an alternative to the isolating one-, two- or three-room apartments and to the overwhelming burden of a single-family home. This is also an alternative lifestyle for joyful couples of any age, with and without children.
Want to get in touch? Want to come to a meeting? Then send an email, sign up to the ...Invitations list.
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