A very successful study day looking at the Mutual Home Ownership (MHOS) model (the model adopted by LILAC) was held on 30 September. This is an approach to financing housing which takes as its starting point the idea that housing is something to use rather than a capital investment. It supports the development of affordable housing and might appeal to anyone from an emerging group that has not yet decided the financial model to use and is trying to create permanent affordability.

The Lifetime Community Project have been planning their group's development in detail, and have kindly allowed the cohousing network to make their planning documents available to others. They're in word document format - download via the links below.

Lifetime cohousing brief: includes aims, guiding principles, design plans through to overall expectations - which include 'We expect the built community to remain fit-for-purpose until the day we die!'

Explorer Questionnaire: a detailed question sheet for prospective members.

Finance and cost issues: a document exploring the factors that will determine the best financial model for a project.

Financing models: a table with a breakdown of advantages and disadvantages of different financing models, from housing association to self-financing.

Ownership models: pros, cons and questions about the best ownership model.

1. Memorandum and Articles

This is a Company Limited by Guarantee. All leaseholders are directors of the company. Associate membership is available for people not holding a lease for the property but being resident. Associate membership is available for prospective residents.