Press
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The Rare Birds Housing Co-op in Kamloops celebrates five years together
CBC Radio Interview, May 2019 Thank you Shelley Joyce and CBC Radio for this May 2019 conversation with our co-op about what five years of intentional community living has taught us about ourselves. |
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"We are chosen family:" Why seven adults share a home in Kamloops
Infonews.ca Interview and Photos, June 2017 "Living with roommates can be difficult, but seven adults are proving it's possible and share everything from grocery bills and family dinners to triumphs and grief." |
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Short Documentary: RareBirds Housing Co-Operative
Shaw TV Kamloops, April 2014 Here is a 4-minute documentary with interviews that was done by Shaw Cable about our project. |
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Rarebirds take flight: A desire to live more sustainably leads to a unique housing initiative
Saavy, The Daily News, Kamloops, December 14, 2013 "Sustainability and a return to a more simple and community-focused life - this is the motivation for Kamloops' Rarebirds, a cooperative that will move into its newly constructed home in February." |
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Unique Kamloops Housing Project
CBC Radio Daybreak Kamloops, Nov 2013 Shelley Joyce of CBC Radio Daybreak Kamloops interviewed us on November 27, 2013 about the progress of our project. The interview also aired on CBC Radio Daybreak South, Kelowna on November, 28, 2013 to feature our story as we presented later that morning at the Building Sustainable Communities Conference in Kelowna. Listen to our 8 minute interview. |
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RareBirds get a place to nest with council OK
Kamloops Daily News, March 27 2013
At article covering the Public Hearing for RareBirds, which gained unanimous approval of the City Council
RareBirds take flight: Housing co-operative envisions fresh approach to living in community within an existing neighbourhoodKamloops Daily News, March 5, 2013
"The Daily News sat down with co-op members to learn how they've made this journey from dream to blueprint. Imagine the prospect of moving in with your friends, permanently. As they described it, the housing co-op has come a long way since the era of tie-dye and free love." |
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Novel definition of family sends co-op to public hearing: 'It is a brave new world out there'
FEBRUARY 19, 2013
A rezoning of residential property near Guerin Creek to allow for a multi-family housing co-operative will proceed to a public hearing. Council approved a staff recommendation on Tuesday to hear public concerns about a proposed development by RareBirds Housing Cooperative.
The project requires an amendment to allow a single-family dwelling to be occupied by 12 residents provided the building meets specific criteria for footprint and setback. The subject property is located at 772 Battle St. West. The site is on vacant land overlooking the creek. The site-specific amendment is required because the housing co-op doesn’t meet the bylaw’s definition of family, said Marvin Kwiatkowski, development and engineering services director.
The bylaw defines a family as “an individual or two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption/foster care agreement sharing one dwelling or three or less unrelated persons sharing one dwelling.”
Coun. Marg Spina said the co-op represents an innovative approach to affordable housing and the evolving needs of adults as they age. The official community plan directs the City to support innovation and flexibility in the provision of housing.
“It is a brave new world out there,” she said. “I’m in support of it going to a public hearing so that people can comment on this new trend,” she said.
The project will need a housing agreement as well to prohibit the renting of individual rooms. “We do not want it to become a rooming house,” Kwiatkowski said.
RareBirds Ready to Construct Nest
August 12, 2012
By SYLVIE PAILLARD - Daily News Staff Reporter
"A circle of lovely, quiet people becomes the ring on my finger" - Rumi
A group of Kamloops residents have completed such a circle after working for more than year and are now set to build their dream of a co-operative housing project on West Battle Street.
Since March 2011, the RareBirds Housing Co-operative group has met, studied, dreamed and toiled to create their "intentional community" that would see six people share expenses and live co-dependently with a common kitchen, eating and living space.
"Together, our goal is to live more sustainable lives using fewer resources, incorporating a greener and more self-sufficient way of life in a socially supportive and spiritually fulfilling environment," said member Robyn Hines. "In this way we hope to co-create meaningful life together and serve as model in our community for a new, innovative design for living."
The group now has all the members it needs and the estimated $1.2 million - $200,000 per family or owner - as well as the right property for the multi-level home between 4,000 and 4,500 sq. ft. An eagle's eye view from the "nest" includes expansive vistas to the west and north and they look forward to the stunning sunsets on the South Thompson, according to a group update. A local architect has been hired who will give special attention to the principles of green building and sustainability. Private spaces for each member or couple would include a large bedroom, private full bathroom, large closet and small sitting area.
A large common space will include kitchen, living room, pantry, laundry, storage, bathroom, exercise room and a shared guest room.
By SYLVIE PAILLARD - Daily News Staff Reporter
"A circle of lovely, quiet people becomes the ring on my finger" - Rumi
A group of Kamloops residents have completed such a circle after working for more than year and are now set to build their dream of a co-operative housing project on West Battle Street.
Since March 2011, the RareBirds Housing Co-operative group has met, studied, dreamed and toiled to create their "intentional community" that would see six people share expenses and live co-dependently with a common kitchen, eating and living space.
"Together, our goal is to live more sustainable lives using fewer resources, incorporating a greener and more self-sufficient way of life in a socially supportive and spiritually fulfilling environment," said member Robyn Hines. "In this way we hope to co-create meaningful life together and serve as model in our community for a new, innovative design for living."
The group now has all the members it needs and the estimated $1.2 million - $200,000 per family or owner - as well as the right property for the multi-level home between 4,000 and 4,500 sq. ft. An eagle's eye view from the "nest" includes expansive vistas to the west and north and they look forward to the stunning sunsets on the South Thompson, according to a group update. A local architect has been hired who will give special attention to the principles of green building and sustainability. Private spaces for each member or couple would include a large bedroom, private full bathroom, large closet and small sitting area.
A large common space will include kitchen, living room, pantry, laundry, storage, bathroom, exercise room and a shared guest room.
RareBirds Flying Unusual Path
By TRACY GILCHRIST
City Editor, The Daily News
After having friends or family at our house steadily since May, our final two summer visitors flew the coop Wednesday. When you're used to living with only one other person, the experience frequently strained my patience. So many mouths to feed, dishes to do, extra laundry and cleaning, and too little downtime after a tough day at the office when guests are eager for your attention.
But as one visitor remarked (and on that note, I think I deserve a gold star for welcoming my husband's ex-wife not once but twice), I was pleased that so many wanted to see how we were settling into our new life in rural Kamloops.
And there's nothing like people in your space to make you look at yourself; seems the easygoing girl I once was has been replaced by a woman who easily loses her patience and whose neatnik tendencies border on excessive. This is why I find the idea of people opting to live in a housing coop, as described in our Monday story, so fascinating.
The RareBirds Housing Co-operative has been planning its "intentional community" since March 2011. The three couples and two singles (they're still looking for another couple or single interested in sharing expenses and the multi-level home they plan to build) have each committed $200,000 toward the venture and bought a property on West Battle Street. Members in the group range in age from 46 to 72, and are truly devoted to the idea of communal, sustainable living. They'll share a kitchen, living room, pantry, laundry, bathroom, exercise room and guest room, and each will have a private bedroom, bathroom, closet and sitting area.
During a tailgate party last month, they introduced themselves to neighbours of the plot of land they bought and have held numerous meetings, including a planning retreat, to map out communication goals and how the group will make decisions by consensus.
According to their blog (http://rarebirdshousing.blogspot.ca), during meetings where they are trying to decide on something, there will be a facilitator to moderate, a timekeeper and a guardian to look out for the "emotional state of individuals and the overall mood and energy of the group." Colour-coded cards are used to show someone wants to contribute to the discussion and a bell will be rung when "due process" is not followed.
Given I could barely come to consensus with my visiting parents how to cook dinner (barbecued corn or boiled, would you really microwave sweet potatoes instead of roasting them, and is that a farmed salmon?), this courteous way of resolving disputes sounds dreamy. At my house, we generally try to ignore when an impasse mounts and hope it fades away. Alternatively, everyone butts in to add their two bits to an issue and the loudest or most persistent voice tends to take the floor.
The RareBirds' blog cites benefits to sharing living space such as having the freedom to jet off knowing someone will care for your pets, sharing great meals and never being lonely. I think the latter would be a curse - I relish being alone and a dose of loneliness can lend good perspective. I admire the path these RareBirds are flying but even after our guest-strewn summer, you won't find this chicken planning to joint that roost any time soon.
Here are a few links:
This column has some good 'tongue-in-cheek' fun with our project!
http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/article/20120817/KAMLOOPS0304/308179996/-1/kamloops/gilchrist-rare-birds-flying-unusual-path
Newspaper articles:
http://issuu.com/downtownecho/docs/dte_march_15__2012
This column has some good 'tongue-in-cheek' fun with our project!
http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/article/20120817/KAMLOOPS0304/308179996/-1/kamloops/gilchrist-rare-birds-flying-unusual-path
Newspaper articles:
http://issuu.com/downtownecho/docs/dte_march_15__2012
