| 103 T T Karen Phelps Natural products for the win The homes are a mix of one, two and three-bedroom and single and double storey. Takaka Cohousing / Signature Homes COMMUNITY Takaka Cohousing Neighbourhood is taking shape with the first 18 homes completed and residents moved in. By January 2024 all 34 homes will be finished and resident and member of the committee responsible for the project, Sarrah Jayne, says the community is finding its feet: “We’ve been getting to know each other as a community for a couple of years so we now we’re settling into our homes and getting to know each other better and figuring out how to make decision together,” she says. The homes, a mix of one, two and three bedroom and single and double storey, are in the first of three neighbourhoods in the community, all built by Signature Homes. Sarrah says although the build was conventional there was a preference for using natural products where possible for example Natural Paint Co and Terra Lana. A new common house is under construction and due for completion in March and will utilise sustainable materials such as Kohu Hemp products and Elemental Design & Build natural timber framing. The unique building will be off-grid and include biomass and gas heating systems. Sarrah says the aim of Takaka Cohousing Neighbourhood is larger than just this project: the aim is to create a sustainable model for not-for-profit cohousing that can be replicated across the country. “We don’t believe building houses needs to be a profit driven venture. We are definitely wanting to change the landscape.” She says there have been numerous challenges to overcome with funding being one of the largest. Takaka Cohousing Neighbourhood is privately funded apart from a construction loan: “The systems are not built for a notfor-profit housing model. For example when seeking a loan we were treated like a for-profit development company, which meant we didn’t have the profit margins the lenders were looking for.” The rapidly rising building costs plus keeping potential purchasers engaged until their home could be delivered were other key challenges. Sarrah is hoping that the lessons learned will help others wanting to get cohousing projects off the ground. “At times we were over subscribed with waiting lists for homes to swinging back to waiting months to sell a couple of units. Commitment levels have waned depending on life changes. When dealing with a project that spans over a number of years the question is how to keep people engaged and waiting for their homes for years.” Another unique aspect of Takaka Cohousing Neighbourhood is that although the homes are unit title some of the adjacent 14.5 hectare site is being held in a trust, Te Hapori Hauora, to preserve it from future development. Sarrah says the plan is to open the land up for public use. Anyone can join Takaka Cohousing Neighbourhood by what Sarrah describes as a “self-selection” process. “We believe in diversity and while anyone can join they need to sign the co-housing agreement. So they need to be up for this living in this way.” Decisions she says are made via a consent-based process. “We’ve modelled our decision making process on Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood in Auckland, which has been going for 30 years. You don’t need every single person to agree, you just need consent for the decision going forward. If someone blocks a proposal they have to put time and energy into finding an alternative,” she says. Unit 1/750 Lower Queen St, Richmond P. 03 544 8059 tasmanbayplumbing.co.nz Oakleys is a proud supplier to Signature Homes Get in touch with us today and discover why the experts at Oakleys Plumbing Supplies are the preferred supplier for many of Nelson-Tasman’s most reputable building and plumbing companies.
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