Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this community intended for?

We envision a mix of adults with special needs as well as people from the general community. Special needs adults who qualify for personal care hours may benefit from this cohousing model because having several potential clients in one area could attract providers.

Downsizers would benefit from having younger, able-bodied adults in their community. We also hope to attract some independent caregivers who would like to own their own home.

Will these be rental housing units?

No. These will be owned by the individuals living in them or their families. The project is intended to be either a condominium or a cooperative.

Who is behind this project?

The founders of this community are local families who have an adult son or daughter with autism or other developmental disability, and who seek permanent housing for their children in a friendly and supportive community environment.

How many people will live there?

We envision 18-24 residences, so there would likely be somewhere between 20-28 individuals involved in the community.

Where is this project located?

The property is located at 2021 Boulevard Road SE in Olympia, just south of Westminster Presbyterian Church. It is approximately in the physical center of the Tumwater-Olympia-Lacey urban area. The .9 acre site is near two Intercity Transit bus lines.

How much will they cost?

This will depend on the decisions made by the group of families involved. Factors include: the number of units built, square footage of each unit, the group’s willingness to build standard units, and our group’s ability to attract grants and concessions that would lower the cost of construction.

Will there be shared common facilities for the residents?

Yes. The property will include a common house for group and individual use, likely of approximately 2,000-2,400 square feet. City code (and cohousing practice) requires that it include a kitchen and dining room. The specific additional elements might include the following: laundry facilities, a games room, theater, meeting space, guest room, and an office for a social services provider. This will depend on the decisions made by the group of families involved.

How will this development proceed?

We are developing a committed stakeholder cohort of individuals and families who want to develop this community. It will require numerous in-person meetings, some facilitated by an experienced cohousing expert. Details of the programming (number of units, features of property) will be determined by the stakeholders, within the constraints of the site and financial realities. Stakeholders must be open to investing financially in this development, both at the exploratory stage and at the groundbreaking stage.

How will this be funded?

Once further developed, this project will be privately funded by the families who intend to own a unit. Some will fund their purchase with a combination of cash and a mortgage. We intend to seek grant funding and other concessions that would make all or some of the units available to low-income buyers at reduced prices.

When will construction start?

This will depend on the decisions made by the group of families involved as well as our ability to arrange grants and financing. The core committee seeks to have the buildings ready for occupancy by the fall of 2028.

Will there be on-site parking?

Yes. Our preliminary plan calls for 12 parking spots, with most intended for visitors and service providers. Intercity Transit has added a bus stop on the property that serves two bus routes. The exact number of parking spots and assignments will depend on the decisions made by the group of families involved.

What is cohousing?

For more information about cohousing, please review the videos on the 2021 Boulevard landing page.