We are seeking individuals, a couple, or a family to join our intentional community. (Single parents with children welcome too.) We welcome housemates of any ethnicity, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, and age.
Available August 1, 2010: a spacious corner room with extra storage space (13 x 13 feet + a 10′ deep closet) $725/ month.
Available August 22, 2010: a main floor corner room (13 x 11 feet + 3 x 5 closet) $675/ month.
All utilities are included. An additional equity payment and community fund payment are also part of the arrangement (read below about the co-ownership model and sharing). There is a small additional charge for multiple occupancy of the same space.
About us: We are composed of both families and single people, with children and 1 dog among us. We strive to devote attention and caring to our relationships with one another and live our lives as a form of social change. Many of us are also activists in the larger world.
Motivation: We recognize that having the most fulfilling lives possible is largely accomplished by the quality and depth of our relationships with others. We therefore work at creating a caring, sustainable community in which we communicate with one another openly and compassionately. See our vision and values for more information.
Location: Manor Circle, Takoma Park, MD. This is a 4-floor all brick building with 12 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, a large living room, dining area, playroom, office, and spacious balcony. 2 blocks from the food-co-op, walking distance to Takoma metro stop, farmers’ market, restaurants, library, community center, Sligo Creek park, yoga center, Liz Lerman dance exchange, and tot-lots.
Co-ownership model: We have developed a hybrid co-ownership model that makes it possible to buy-in or develop equity over time in the legal entity that owns the building.
Sharing: We each choose community service roles of approximately 5 hrs/wk, for house/yard work (cleaning, cooking, child care, gardening, maintenance, finances, etc). Our community fund provides for the food, 5 or more house meals per week, and eco-friendly household products. We also divert significant amounts of fresh, still-wrapped food from the waste stream, significantly reducing our food budget.
Among us: Environmental and social change activists, dancers, musicians, people who like to play outside, adults, children, parents, and non-parents.
We’re looking for others who:
- Are dedicated to intentional and compassionate communication
- Desire to live in and contribute to community
- Desire to contribute to the larger world and sustainability
- Are socially progressive and environmentally minded
- Enjoy children
- Are interested in “my room is my private space” living
- Keep community spaces pleasant, clean, safe, and inviting places to live
- Want to share in household responsibilities
- Are willing to participate in house meetings and group decision making
- Are interested in shared activities, house meals, building neighborhood community
- Enjoy simply hanging out w/housemates
- Don’t smoke or use drugs (drinking at our house is also uncommon)
- Will compost, recycle, and use the clothesline (we do have a dryer for cold, rainy days)
- Can live without harmful chemicals (especially artificial fragrances and petroleum based products)
Goals and Decision-making: We have created a values and vision statement, and a document of intention and practice that describes our approach and goals in more detail. We use a values-based consensus model of decision-making and have committees of interest so that community members to have the opportunity to be involved in decisions that will affect them or the house.
For more information, contact: Ryan McAllister, ryan@notjustskin.org
Please include information about what interests you about this particular way of living together!
