Frequently Asked Questions

What are advantages to living in cohousing? The advantages include rich relationships, a sense of extended family and the opportunity to share resources and live more lightly on the land.

What are drawbacks to living in cohousing? Cohousing community take work to develop and maintain. Costs are not inexpensive.

What is the Common House? It's a building with shared facilities and is an extension of our homes. Our common house includes a kitchen and dining room for optional shared meals, guest room, living room, game room, offices, kids spaces, exercise area and laundry facilities. 

How do you make decisions? Most community decisions are made by consensus. We place a high value on inclusive, particpatory group process and decision making.

Do you allow pets?  Yes. Our pet's human companions are fully responsible for their impact on other members, and local wildlife. For dogs, we also have a leash policy.

How much work is required? Sunward is a cooperative community that relies on its members to get things done from plowing snow to facilitating meetings to painting the hall. This also saves us a lot of money. Every member contributes 3-5 hours per month in our organized work system which gets a number of important jobs done. Other work is not as organized and is usually accomplished via individual and collective labors of love by members. We strive to match work with talent and passions.

Cars stay away from living areas? Yes, and we can use carts to carry just about everything.

How long did it take to build Sunward? It took about four years. In 1994, a small group of inspired Ann Arbor residents started envisioning a cohousing community. In 1996, a larger group purchased land and began designing the site and structures. Construction began in 1997. Members began to move in during spring of 1998 and in November 1998, our common house was completed. Whew!

Do you have a common spiritual path? No. Sunward is a secular community, however a wide range of spritual paths and religious beliefs are represented amongst our members.

How did you finance Sunward? We arranged bank loans for land purchase and construction. Then members of each household worked out their own financing.

Are there any other cohousing communities in southeast Michigan? New cohousing groups are forming now.

Can you tell me when you have an opening? Please contact us if you have an interest in staying in touch. We can add you to our notification list. Check our our News and Events information as well.