Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cohousing?
Cohousing started in Denmark in the mid 1960’s and is a neighbourhood design that combines the autonomy of private dwellings with the advantages of sharing resources and community living. Cohousing communities usually range from 10-40 units of housing. Residents in a Cohousing community live in their private individual homes which are clustered around a common house with shared spaces.
What is a cooperative?
Co-ops are democratic organizations. All members have equal voting privileges ("one member, one vote"). Members elect a board of directors from the membership. The board designates committees, as required, to assist the board. The role of the board and its committees is extremely important. How well a co-op operates is a direct reflection of how well the board governs.
How does decision-making happen?
The system of governance we have chosen is called Sociocracy. Based on the values of effectiveness, equivalence and transparency, decisions are made by consent. Consent exists when there are no remaining objections to a proposal. Because objections must relate to accomplishing the circle's aim, they are valuable information or feedback and seen as gifts held by the circle and recognized for their role in improving the proposals. Our visual signal for an objection demonstrates our seeing them as an offering: a hand stretched outward, palm up.
How does the housing situation work?
Since we are in the process of developing the site and building our homes, we live in the common house and in the 2 cabins. As members build their homes, we anticipate new members to live either in the common house or in the auxiliary buildings. We're also open to people bringing their own campers/RV’s, tiny homes, yurts or other alternative housing and setting them up as temporary housing.
Do people own their homes or rent, are there other options?
Members own their own homes, and we currently rent to folks who are exploring the last stage of our membership process.
What are the costs of living here?
We split the mortgage, utilities, accounting fees, taxes and insurance and contribute to an emergency fund. These costs decrease with every new member joining us. Additionally to build a home here you must also have the funds for the buy-in and to build a house with.
What is the buy-in?
To buy-in members purchase a Class C "Foundation" Share (redeemable upon ending membership). This buy-in reflects the amount each founding family paid originally, has put towards building infrastructure, and has paid off on the mortgage. The buy-in gives new member families a building site & access to all of the commons. In the future we may also offer mortgageable building leases to new members as another path to buying-in.
Class C Shares increase each year:
Cohousing started in Denmark in the mid 1960’s and is a neighbourhood design that combines the autonomy of private dwellings with the advantages of sharing resources and community living. Cohousing communities usually range from 10-40 units of housing. Residents in a Cohousing community live in their private individual homes which are clustered around a common house with shared spaces.
What is a cooperative?
Co-ops are democratic organizations. All members have equal voting privileges ("one member, one vote"). Members elect a board of directors from the membership. The board designates committees, as required, to assist the board. The role of the board and its committees is extremely important. How well a co-op operates is a direct reflection of how well the board governs.
How does decision-making happen?
The system of governance we have chosen is called Sociocracy. Based on the values of effectiveness, equivalence and transparency, decisions are made by consent. Consent exists when there are no remaining objections to a proposal. Because objections must relate to accomplishing the circle's aim, they are valuable information or feedback and seen as gifts held by the circle and recognized for their role in improving the proposals. Our visual signal for an objection demonstrates our seeing them as an offering: a hand stretched outward, palm up.
How does the housing situation work?
Since we are in the process of developing the site and building our homes, we live in the common house and in the 2 cabins. As members build their homes, we anticipate new members to live either in the common house or in the auxiliary buildings. We're also open to people bringing their own campers/RV’s, tiny homes, yurts or other alternative housing and setting them up as temporary housing.
Do people own their homes or rent, are there other options?
Members own their own homes, and we currently rent to folks who are exploring the last stage of our membership process.
What are the costs of living here?
We split the mortgage, utilities, accounting fees, taxes and insurance and contribute to an emergency fund. These costs decrease with every new member joining us. Additionally to build a home here you must also have the funds for the buy-in and to build a house with.
What is the buy-in?
To buy-in members purchase a Class C "Foundation" Share (redeemable upon ending membership). This buy-in reflects the amount each founding family paid originally, has put towards building infrastructure, and has paid off on the mortgage. The buy-in gives new member families a building site & access to all of the commons. In the future we may also offer mortgageable building leases to new members as another path to buying-in.
Class C Shares increase each year:
Year |
Class C Share Amount |
2021 |
$104,000 |
2022 |
$110,660 |
2023 |
$117,586 |
2024 |
$124,790 |
2025 |
$130,410 |
Are there any other costs to joining?
To join the cooperative members buy a $500.00 class "A" membership share. Membership shares are voting shares and a member may not own more that one, they are also redeemable. Members also pay a one time non-refundable joining fee of $10,000.00.
What are the participation requirements?
Members attend general circle meetings and are actively involved in at least two operational circles. Members contribute towards the maintenance and development of Hearthstone Village to the best of their ability. They maintain their monthly contributions, and act in accordance with the Commitment to Community policy agreement.
What are the operational circles?
We are re-establishing a village way of life by creating a place to belong, a place to give, and a place to share in the abundance of life. We have three operational circles for our village to accomplish this vision. They include:
- Head Circle: attends to governance, legal and financial matters and supports people in learning new skills and stretching themselves.
- Heart Circle: attends to membership; connection; conflict; and the emotional and spiritual well-being of our members and community. Together, we enjoy song circles, shared meals, and board game nights. We have connection circles as a place to share authentic experiences; to be seen and heard by the community.
- Hand Circle: supports the development, building, and maintenance of the land and buildings and coordinates work parties with the accompanying dinners to go with them.
Is there a long-term roadmap for the community?
We recognize that our community is endeavouring to re-establish a ‘village way of life’ with people who have, for the most part, not encountered or experienced an intact village. With this audacious goal in our hearts, we know we sometimes fumble in our process of living, working, and playing together. We don't always get it right, but when we do, it is glorious. By sharing the work and the food and the grief and the doubt and the pain of being human we hope that future generations will experience all of this with greater ease.
Our plans are to create between 8 to 16 family dwellings (16 is the maximum number we can officially have on a property this size) which are primarily built of natural materials (local wood, cob, slip straw, earthbags etc...) and are modest in size (500-1200 sq ft).
We are open to home-based businesses and community industries. Most importantly we want to live sustainably in a socially rich and interconnected community, supporting and caring for each other. This roadmap for the community will continue to evolve as membership grows.
Are you open to international members?
Yes, but in order to become a full member in Hearthstone Village Cooperative you must be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen.
Hearthstone Village Cooperative does not sponsor people and cannot provide employment.
To explore immigration click: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html
How does Hearthstone navigate COVID-19?
We follow provincial guidelines with public visitors but also believe there must be a balance between personal freedom and respect for at-risk members. We have a pandemic communications policy that has helped members of the community - both vaccinated and unvaccinated -feel safe and protected while we successfully navigate the pandemic, without acrimony and splintering.
