Ōtākaro
is a charitable trust that aims to support co-operative housing.
The trusts two main projects are the Peterborough
Housing Co-operative and the Neighbourhood Cohousing fund.
Situated
in inner-city Ōtautahi (Christchurch),
Peterborough Co-op is six
households in a row with joined-up back yards.
The houses are 1930's bungalows, three family homes and three flats, giving ten adults and seven children.
The
fund can help to establish a new housing co-operative from a group of
neighbouring properties.
The
fund pays the basic costs to transform the properties into a
housing co-op, and gives advice and support to make it happen.
Cohousing is connecting houses and
yards to give a sense of belonging.
The design gives both social
contact and personal space. Residents feel part of real neighbourhood.
