Services Available
Whether you’re a new cohousing group, a developer, non-profit or simply someone keen to foster intentional community, it can be hard to know where to start.  

At Hive & House, we offer cohousing consulting, group facilitation and community building services that can be matched to your needs, and help you move forwards with your project.
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We understand the relationship between physical design features that promote social connection, and the underlying community and group participation needed for long term success.

The Hive & House team has a wide range of skills and expertise in cohousing, finances, group process and facilitation, urban planning and design.  Our team is located in the Lower Mainland, and is available to travel to other locations.

We recommend that cohousing groups start by building their membership and connection to each other and the concept of cohousing.  Hive & House is available to present workshops, or to provide strategic direction to forming cohousing groups.

Pricing

Please contact us for pricing at hiveandhouse@gmail.com

Getting started?

Info Session:
Introduction to Cohousing

  • Hive & House runs our own cohousing info sessions from time to time, but we are also available to present our “Intro to Cohousing” to your group members, or at a public info session that your group is putting on
  • Typically a 90 minute event, including a 30 minute presentation by Hive & House, with plenty of time for group Q&A and individual conversations
  • Our presentation covers:
    • What is cohousing
    • How is cohousing different from other housing alternatives
    • Benefits of living in community
    • Next steps for curious people

General consultation

  • Our team can be booked for shorter meetings, financial reviews and general advice or consultation as required. For example, cohousing groups may choose to hire Hive & House to help with strategic direction, such as reviewing a forming group’s approach to member recruitment

Workshops

Workshop 1:
​The Inside-Out of Cohousing

  • Aimed at people who are curious about cohousing, this introductory workshop provides a deeper dive into how cohousing works, from the hard facts to the warm fuzzies
  • ​Hive & House runs this workshop from time to time (see our Events page) but we are also available to bring it to your newly forming group
  • This workshop covers:
    • A typical legal and financial framework
    • Intro to working together as a group (e.g. decision-making, committees, hierarchy, group dynamics)
    • Community building (e.g. membership levels, recruitment, social bonding)

Workshop 2:
Becoming a Group

  • For people who have completed Workshop 1 and are looking for next steps, or for small groups of people interested in taking the next step
  • Hive & House runs this workshop from time to time (see our Events page) but we are also available to bring it to your newly forming group
  • This workshop covers:
    • Defining your group’s focus
    • Recruiting new members
    • Making decisions as a group
    • Creating community connections

 
​Other Workshops

  • For newly forming cohousing groups, or groups moving towards development, we can provide workshops geared to specific topics or group issues.
  • These are great opportunities for your group to come together to explore different aspects of cohousing, including design features, community involvement, and financial requirements.
  • Topics include the following, or Hive & House can customize a workshop for what your group needs!
    • Group vision and values
    • Building your financial foundation
    • Applying your vision to site search
    • Confirming your group’s financial capacity
    • What to expect when you’re rezoning
  • Workshops are available in half- and full-day lengths, depending on the content and depth your group requires

Cohousing Development Services

Transition Services

  • Suitable for groups who have moved past the initial formation stage, and need to build a strong foundation before securing a site
  • Includes assistance with recruitment, membership framework, committee structures, consensus decision-making, etc. before they start considering potential sites
  • Depending on the group’s location, this level of service may also include preliminary financial feasibility, such as a placeholder pro forma and cash flow projection
  • The details of transition services will depend on the group’s existing foundation, as well as the project location, timeline and complexity

Full Cohousing Development Services

  • Suitable for groups who are ready to incorporate and finalize their legal/financial structure prior to purchasing a site, then moving through site acquisition, municipal approvals, construction, and move-in
  • May include cohousing consulting, site acquisition and project management, depending on the project location

The fine print

  • Please contact Hive & House for pricing.
  • 50% deposit is required at time of booking.
  • GST will be applied.
  • Workshop costs do not include room rentals, printing of workshop materials or meals / refreshments.  Cohousing groups can typically organize these logistics themselves, which lowers the costs for participants.