ABSTRACT
This chapter examines cohousing as an alternative form of accommodation for older Australians. Although a popular form of accommodation internationally, to date, cohousing has gained little traction in Australia not only due to inaccurate perceptions about the nature of cohousing but also through obstacles with regard to planning and approval, design, length of construction, the willingness of traditional lenders to finance projects and how best the model will ‘fit’ within the Torrens System of land registration. The chapter considers the advantages of cohousing for older Australians (whether in age-specific configurations or a multi-generational arrangement), assesses the existing barriers to making cohousing more ‘mainstream’ and offers some tentative solutions to encourage cohousing as a retirement option, especially in relation to older Australians on lower incomes.
