National Cohousing Month: another summit and open houses

Following on the heels of the November cohousing summit in Sacramento, Calif., and in alignment with our new strategic plan, CohoUS has organized another summit this May in Seattle, Wash. The Cohousing Summit: Seattle takes place May 16 at the University of Washington’s Gould Hall, part of the College of Built Environments. In addition, there will be regional community tours May 14 – 17.

The one-day summit is a gathering for anyone drawn to deeper connection — whether you live in a community, are working to form one, or are simply curious about new models of living well together. The summit will explore how cohousing and other community-based housing approaches can strengthen belonging, expand housing options, and support people across all stages of life.

The summit is designed to offer both practical learning and a strong sense of community. It is co-chaired by Grace Kim, renowned architect, TED speaker and cofounder of Schemata Workshop, and Mike Mariano, Schemata Workshop co-owner.

What to expect

The summit will include:

• A panel of experts exploring cohousing, pocket neighborhoods, co-ops and more.
• Your choice of 12 breakout sessions with practical tools and expert advice.
• Connection with community builders, professionals and curious newcomers.
• Three days of local community tours.

You’ll be able to hear from experts in the following areas:

• Design and development — leading architects and development professionals, including Katie McCamant and Grace Kim, along with regional firms and community leaders, will discuss what it takes to create housing that truly supports connection. Sessions will explore designing for social interaction, the importance of working with experienced professionals, and practical pathways for developing new cohousing communities. They will showcase forming communities including Rooted Northwest, Sunnyside Village, 4^th Corner, Elderberry and more.
• Affordability and new ownership models — an exploration of how community-rooted cohousing can become more accessible and affordable. Sessions will include perspectives from community land trusts, cooperatives and Habitat partnerships as well as a deep dive into co-buying as a pathway to shared housing.
• Life inside community — A look at what daily life in cohousing is really like. Representatives from Capitol Hill Urban Cohousing and Jackson Place will share stories about cooking meals, doing the work of a community together, sharing care and raising kids.
• Group process and navigating challenges — sessions will address interpersonal tensions, “good enough” decision-making, and lessons from communities that have faced challenges and change.
• Communication and outreach — expert advice on how communities attract new members and share their story through effective marketing and outreach.
• Innovations in community-rooted housing — House of Mkeka will discuss pocket neighborhoods and other creative approaches to expanding the landscape of community-based living. House of Mkeka’s purpose is to model an innovative approach to equitable housing, community care, aging in place and safety for Black families.

Community tours

One of the most inspiring aspects of regional cohousing summits is the chance to visit local communities and see for yourself how different versions of cohousing work. Each tour highlights a different set of communities, from urban infill to regional and island settings. You’ll hear directly from residents, tour shared spaces and homes, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how these communities thrive.

Some tours include shared meals; all offer a meaningful opportunity to connect and experience the diversity of chousing in the Pacific Northwest. Choose one or more tours at an additional cost.

Here are the options:

• Thursday, May 14 — Travel to Vashon Island in Puget Sound to visit Vashon Island Cohousing, a well-established community for more than 30 years. Hear from long-term residents about what it takes to sustain a community over time. The tour concludes with a farm-to-table dinner hosted at the community.
• Friday, May 15 — Explore some of Seattle’s most established and innovative cohousing communities, including Capitol Hill Urban Cohousing in the heart of the city, Jackson Place cohousing with its vibrant shared spaces, and Puget Ridge Cohousing, which partners with a local community land trust. The day includes lunch hosted at one of the communities.
• Sunday, May 17 — Join a tour that doubles as a workshop on wheels. Sponsored by renowned cohousing architects Caddis Collaborative, the workshop will feature insights from Bryan Bowen and other Caddis team members on how to design for connection. Hear resident stories and tour common spaces at Crow Woods, a nine-home community created through ADU legislation, Skagit Cohousing in Anacortes, and more. The day includes lunch hosted at one of the communities.
• Sunday, May 17 — Enjoy a half-day walking tour on Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound, featuring Winslow Cohousing and a neighboring cottage community. This tour offers a great opportunity to explore cohousing on a smaller footprint, see how design supports connection in a walkable setting, and hear from residents about their day-to-day life.

Why Seattle?

The city is one of the most influential places in North America for cohousing. It is home to early U.S. communities, nationally recognized designers and developers, and a strong culture of innovation. By gathering here, we’re tapping into that legacy, bringing together residents, aspiring community builders and professionals to share lessons, build relationships and imagine what’s next for cohousing.

Open houses around the country

Many communities will hold open houses during National Cohousing Month in May, especially on National Cohousing Day Weekend, May 2 – 3. For listings, look here. As of the end of March, just one was listed, but check again later in April to see if other communities have posted dates.

Upcoming events

May 2–3 — National Cohousing Open House Weekend, an annual event when many communities host tours and welcome visitors. Look for events on CohoUS’s Community Calendar, especially closer to the open house weekend.

May 10 — The Commons, a free monthly gathering for the cohousing curious and experts, too; 10 a.m. MDT; repeats on the 10^th of each month; register here. 

May 16 — The Cohousing Summit: Seattle, plus local community tours May 14–17. Find out more and register here.

May 20 — Seniors in Cohousing Q&A, an informal facilitated conversation for those who are interested in senior cohousing and/or senior living in intergenerational cohousing; 10 a.m. MDT; repeats on the 20^th of each month; register here.  Once registered, you’ll receive an email before the meeting with a link to join the call on Zoom.

CohoUS offers many live and on-demand courses on a wide range of topic related to cohousing. Peruse them here.

The Foundation for Intentional Community (FIC) also offers a range of live, on-demand and rerun online courses. Check out some interesting live courses coming up in March 2026.

Find out about becoming a CohoUS member here. 

See the CohoUs mission and vision statement here.