| We are an independent housing co-op in a historic neighborhood on the near west side of Madison, Wisconsin. The co-op was formed in 1970 when we obtained ownership of a large, three-story house from an agricultural fraternity at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
The membership has gone through many changes since then, but the goal has always been to provide affordable housing in a friendly, family-like community environment. Our diverse membership includes students, professionals, and working folks from all walks of life, and we share no particular political or ideological bent.
We all share the duties of running the house, from cooking to cleaning to keeping the books, through a work-job system that entails about five hours per week of work, plus dish-washing or floor-mopping duty every week or so.
The heart of our community life revolves around the delicious, vegetarian-option house meals served Sunday through Thursday at 6pm. We make decisions, usually by simple majority, at mandatory house meetings held every two and a half weeks. Temporary committees are regularly created to handle specific projects such as financial planning or landscape planning.
What makes us special? We're a bunch of quirky, unrelated folks who manage to operate almost like a family and run a clean, friendly home, and it works! | |
Population Members(adults and children): 17 | Government Decision Making: By majority rule (Major house decisions (membershipping, etc.) are made by consensus) Leadership Core Group: No | Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Labor Contribution: Expected (Approximately 5 hours per week) Regular Fees: Yes (Rent, Utilities, & Food total $312-$480/month (depending on room size)) | Land and Buildings Urban Land Owned By: The community | Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% Share Community Meals: Nearly all dinners Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: (Common meals are primarily vegetarian but may occasionally include a meat option at the discretion of the cook for the evening.) Tobacco Use: Seldom used (Smoking should be outdoors only, but we do have a large yard.) | Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No | |
