The formation of a senior co-housing community in London

This paper presents early results of research into the formation of a pioneering cohousing project for the over-50s in London. Co-housing is a familiar concept in Scandinavia, Germany and the Netherlands but there are only a few communities in the UK. Recent government reports have recommended its adoption, particularly for older people, saying that living in co-housing communities increases social interaction, allows seniors to downsize (freeing up family homes) and may delay the need to move into costly residential care homes. Drawing on participant observation, the paper identifies the main challenges and opportunities the group have encountered to date including issues of recruitment, group dynamics, design and interactions with the planning system. It also addresses questions of legal and financial arrangements. Finally, we draw some tentative lessons about what would need to change to enable more widespread adoption of this specialist housing choice in the UK.