Co-housing anyone?

It seems the government has finally taken a deep breath and put "co-housing" on the table.

No, don't get too excited. This is the Downunder version of some highly successful schemes in places like Denmark. The idea is that people have their own private space built around a shared space. There can be shared facilities such as laundry facilities and more. There are obvious advantages in relation to the care of the very elderly and the very young but there are also issues with privacy. If a group of people get on well together then co-housing units can work very well. If they do not get on or one person creates issues for everyone else then there can be real problems.

I looked at co-housing schemes when I was doing some research into play spaces for children. I also looked at the Dutch idea of "woonerfs" - streets where traffic is at a minimum and can only go very slowly. The idea there is to give children a place to play outside.

Combine the two ideas and you have part of the answer to the increased pressures on housing in this country - or so it is said. The co-housing option is up for discussion here - or is it?

The answer to that has to be - not really. The proposal here is to divide existing housing so that some of the large old houses on bigger blocks become two much smaller living spaces. It may mean additions to some of the present dwellings but residents would have their own access point and rear privacy but a shared front area. It would not be quite the same as the idea of "units" built for a similar purpose.

Yes, it sounds good if it helps to solve the current housing situation but I wonder how well it will work. Suburban dwellers in this country are looking for their own space. There is still a strong desire for a single unit dwelling surrounded by your own space - the old "quarter acre block". The idea of sharing that with anyone is not something many would want to contemplate.

The idea however has been put out for public discussion. It will be interesting to see what the response is. My big question is going to be "where will the children play?"