About cohousing

Cohousing is a way of creating neighbourhoods where people know one another and play an active role in the places they live.

These communities are intentionally designed to encourage interaction, mutual support and a stronger sense of belonging. Residents have their own private homes while also sharing spaces, facilities and responsibilities with their neighbours.

Originating in Denmark in the 1960s, the movement has since grown across Scandinavia, Germany and the United States. In the UK it took root later, from the end of the 1990s, and progress was slow at first for early groups.

The picture is changing fast. There are now 11 new-build cohousing communities and around 20 retrofit schemes, with a further 65-plus groups developing projects and new ones starting regularly. A newly launched national register of interest already has more than 1,000 people looking to join a cohousing community.

Cohousing is also gaining recognition at national policy level. The government’s New Towns Taskforce has endorsed cohousing as part of the community-led housing mix. At Northstowe, near Cambridge, planning permission has been granted for two cohousing communities within a new mixed-tenure neighbourhood, delivered in partnership with Homes England.

Key features of cohousing

Cohousing communities share a common set of principles that shape how they are designed, governed and lived in. While every community is different, these principles help create places where people can enjoy greater connection, support and a stronger sense of belonging.

Designed with future residents
Cohousing communities are shaped by the people who will live in them. Future residents are involved in designing not just the homes and shared spaces, but also the values, culture and ways of living together. This early involvement helps create communities that reflect the needs and aspirations of the people who call them home.

A balance between privacy and community
Cohousing combines private homes with shared spaces that bring people together. Every household has its own self-contained home, while shared facilities such as a common house, guest rooms, gardens, workspaces or play areas provide opportunities for connection and mutual support. Residents can choose when and how they participate in community life.

Designed to encourage everyday connection
Cohousing neighbourhoods are designed to make it easy for neighbours to meet and build relationships. Homes are typically arranged around shared outdoor spaces, with features such as communal gardens, pedestrian-friendly streets and a centrally located common house helping to create opportunities for informal interaction. These everyday encounters help create  a sense of belonging and trust over time.

Resident-led stewardship and decision-making
Cohousing communities are managed by the people who live there. Residents collectively make decisions about how their community is run, from caring for shared spaces to organising activities and planning for the future. This gives people greater control over their living environment and helps build a strong sense of ownership, responsibility and shared purpose.

Connected to the wider community
Cohousing is about creating connected neighbourhoods. Most cohousing communities welcome new members and actively engage with the places around them. Shared spaces are often used for local events, activities and partnerships, helping build relationships beyond the immediate community and contributing to a stronger, more connected neighbourhood.

Click here to download our at-a-glance guide ‘What is Cohousing?’