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Formed: 2000
Kaleidoscope Village (Formerly Central Austin Cohousing)
Austin, Texas,
United States
 Here’s the status as of October 2009: A builder has been selected so bids and prices for our community are being finalized! The plan calls for 37 homes on a 6 acre site just east of downtown Austin, Texas. Right now, about 1/2 of the homes are spoken for and Kaleidoscope Village is actively recruiting. The site plan calls for mostly duplexes clustered around a community green. The home designs have earned the houses Austin's highest "5 Star" rating for good, green design and two acres will be left open as organically maintained green space. Given the current financial turbulence, the prospective construction lenders would feel much happier if 100% of the units were pre-sold in the next few months. Best guess (of course subject to change) is for an 18 month build cycle leading to occupancy in mid 2011 and prices in the $150,000 to $250,000 range. Prospective community members must go through an orientation/self-selection process. Kaleidoscope Village is a Cohousing group. As such, we practice consensus decision making and are appealing to a wide range of household types and ages. (See any of the excellent Cohousing books by McCamant & Durrett for more information about Cohousing). The members of Kaleidoscope Village have no ideological viewpoint other than a wish to live in a close-knit and interdependent Cohousing community.
A very brief history of the Kaleidoscope Village: the group formed in 2000, and did the usual “what if’s” with sites until 2 members bought the current site in May 2006. The necessary permits were acquired in 2009, and Phase 1 (site development - clearing, rough grading, storm water detention) was completed in Sept 2009. Now it’s time for you to come join us!
  Status: Building
Website: http://austincohousing.org/
Contact:
please contact us by email/voicemail
Phone: 866-752-7358
Email This Community!
Links:
Austin Cohousing: Kaleidoscope Village
Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)
Former/Other Names: Central Austin Cohousing
Last Updated:10/8/2009
 
Visitors Accepted
 (We have monthly meetings and occasional site tours during construction.)
Visitor Process: See info at http://austincohousing.org/news.html.
Network Affiliations:
Coho/US
Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:
Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population
Members(adults and children):
60
(However many people it takes to fill 37 homes!)
Open to new members:
Yes
(Come join us now!)
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
Identified Leader:
No
Leadership Core Group:
Yes
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
(No income sharing)
Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:
Yes
(Members have to be able to afford their unit [some units are SMART units])
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(We will have workshare requirements for self-management of the property)
Join Fee:
Yes
(Conditional members pay $25 to defray new-member expenses)
Regular Fees:
No
(Once built, we will have regular condo homeowners assessments)
Land and Buildings
Urban
(A few miles east of downtown Austin)
Area:
6 acres (2.4 hectares)
Land Owned By:
A subgroup of community members
(2 longtime community members)
Number of Residences:
37
(Mixture of 1-BR and 2-BR up/down duplexes and 3-BR and 4-BR side-by-side duplexes, with three 2-BR flats over the common house.)
Cohousing:
Yes
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
none
(None now; We will have community organic gardens)
Share Community Meals:
2-5 times/week
(Infrequently now; We are planning to start with several common meals a week)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual
Dietary Practice:
Omnivorous
(We are vegetarian-ish; meat dishes are allowed but must be clearly marked.)
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally
(Up to the individual)
Tobacco Use:
Seldom used
(Smoking in private homes only.)
Social Factors
Common Spiritual Practices:
No
Which Spiritual Traditions(s):
Ecumenical (includes "all religions")
(All belief systems are welcome)
Educational Style(s):
(Education is up to the parents as they see fit)
Cohousing Details
Cohousing Status:
Building
Year Completed:
2011
(Expected completion Summer 2011)
Number of Units:
37
Square Feet in Common House:
4000
Architect:
Kraus/Fitch and Hailey Johnson
Developer:
A Limited Liability Company composed of 2 longtime community members.
Commercial Lender:
TBD
 
 
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We happily link to the following organizations, all of whom share our strong commitment to promoting community and a more cooperative world:
Cohousing The Federation of Egalitarian Communities - Communes Coop Community Cooperative Sustainable Intentional North American Students of Cooperation