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NICA Communities Directory for the Pacific Northwest
For listings in all geographical areas, including the Northwest, see directory.ic.org
Community List - Oregon Washington British Columbia Idaho - Search
Formed: 1992 Established: 2000
Cascadia Commons
Portland, Oregon,
United States
 Cascadia Commons Cohousing is a community of 26 homes and a common house located in a pleasant suburb six miles southwest of the center of Portland, Oregon. We were self-developed over the period beginning with our incorporation as an LLC in 1995 (after a couple of years as a talking group). Construction was completed in 2001. We continue to develop as an evolving community.
We occupy 2.9 acres of land, of which approximately half is legally designated wetlands and wetlands buffer that is required to be maintained in a natural state. Our homes are a mix of renovated townhouses, and newly constructed flats and townhouses.
We are a quarter of a mile from good bus service to the center of Portland, a 35-minute ride. It takes about 10-15 minutes by car.
Our current residents range in age from one to 82. We are a mix of singles, single moms, couples, and families. We are ecumenical as to religion, or lack thereof, philosophy, sexual orientation, dietary preferences, and, at least in principle, politics. We share green values of caring for the earth and its creatures.
We are egalitarian in our governance, using consensus decision making, with provision for breaking impasses, as required by Oregon's condominium law.
 
Website: http://www.cascadiacommons.com/
Contact:
Cascadia Commons
4377 SW 94th Ave
Portland, Oregon 97225 United States
Phone: 503-650-7169 Messages only. Checked daily
Send an Email
Last Updated:11/9/2008
 
Visitors Accepted
Visitor Process: Personal guests of community members visit by arrangement with their hosts. Strangers contact us by email or telephone. Explain interest and reason for visit. A host will be assigned to work out details.
Network Affiliations:
Fellowship for Intentional Community
Population
Adult Members:
35
Child Members:
7
Non-member Residents:
0
Open to new adults:
Yes
(Only as occupancy of homes change)
Open to new children:
Yes
(As occupancy of homes change)
Gender Balance:
34% M 66% F
Open to which gender(s):
All genders welcome
Ethnic Diversity:
0% identify as 'non-white'
Age Focus:
No Focus
(We value a diversity of ages)
Age Restrictions:
No
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
(With legally required provision to break impasses)
Identified Leader:
No
(We have some leadership roles in committees)
Leadership Core Group:
No
(Only by the willingness and capacity of some to do more work than others.)
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:
Yes
(Screening of finances is by lenders for individual mortgages)
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(We have a nominal minimum of 5 hours per month. Almost everyone works far more than that, as their circumstances and inclinations permit)
Join Fee:
No
(The costs of becoming a resident are all that is required.)
Regular Fees:
Yes
(Regular Home Owners Association dues are prescribed for each home.)
Land and Buildings
Suburban
Area:
2.9 acres (1.2 hectares)
(About half of our land is designated wetlands where no develoment is permitted.)
Land Owned By:
The community
(We are legally organized as a condominium community)
Number of Residences:
26
(26 homes in 12 buildings)
Cohousing:
Yes
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
1-5%
(Organic comunity garden)
Share Community Meals:
2-5 times/week
(About half of adults participate regularly)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual
(We try to use organic food when available. We try to provide options to meet individual restrictions)
Dietary Practice:
Omnivorous
(Vegetarian options always available)
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally
Tobacco Use:
Prohibited
(In common house, discouraged on grounds, optional in individual homes, but there are no members who are regular smokers.)
Social Factors
Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members:
Yes
(Sexual orientations not a community concern)
Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults):
No
(Our community does not control private lives of members)
Shared Spiritual Path:
No
(Wide range of preferences.)
Which Spiritual Path(s):
Other
(Any or none)
Educational Style(s):
Other
(Some private schooled off property, some public schooled)
Cohousing Details
Cohousing Status:
Completed
Year Completed:
2000
Number of Units:
26
 
 
Become an Editor Current editor(s): cohousing, cccoho, gnrstone
 
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