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News :: Miscellaneous |
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COUCH Helps a Local Co-op in Time of Need |
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by Ben Schaeffer
Email: schaeffr (nospam) uiuc.edu (unverified!)
Phone: 217-398-3853 |
02 Nov 2001
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A local housing co-op, Green House, was forced to move in August because of difficulties with their landlord. Already an associate member house of Community of Urbana-Champaign Cooperative Housing, they approached COUCH to sign the lease with their new landlord in order to minimize their personal financial risk. At a special meeting, the COUCH membership voted to do so. |
COUCH Helps a Local Co-op in Time of Need
A local housing co-op, Green House, was forced to move in August because of difficulties with their landlord. The housemates valiantly sought a new house and accomplished their mission in just two days. Already an associate member house of Community of Urbana-Champaign Cooperative Housing, they approached COUCH to sign the lease with their new landlord in order to minimize their personal risk and strengthen their ties to COUCH. At a special membership meeting, the COUCH membership unanimously voted to do so and thus inaugurated the second COUCH-managed house, the newly renamed Phoenix House. It remains a four person vegetarian co-op with three cats located near
downtown Champaign.
As a local umbrella organization for co-op houses, COUCH provides several important services. Not only does it give houses access to more developed financial resources than they would otherwise have, it also connects them with a larger community of like-minded individuals. Signing the lease on Phoenix didn't solve all the problems of the former Green House residents. They had to move all their possessions on short notice. Because of the community surrounding them, they were able to quickly borrow a truck and get moving help from local co-op members.
Community of Urbana-Champaign Cooperative Housing was formed in 1997 to act as a voice for the previously disconnected local housing co-ops. Together, these co-ops have improved their communication, education and sense of community both within and without their individual houses. Residents of co-op houses operate democratically, sharing meals and chores. This results in a higher quality of life at less cost. COUCH continues to promote this way of life locally.
Contact: Andrea Mills, amills1 (at) students.uiuc.edu, 531-0553 |
See also:
co-op.champaign.il.us/couch
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