Altair EcoVillage: A Sustainable Solution to the Economics of Aging Through Cohousing

The economics of aging presents unique challenges for both individuals and communities. With rising costs in senior living, many people face a future where traditional retirement options may be financially unattainable. Cohousing, as explored in The Workshop Facilitator’s Guide: The Economics of Getting Older by Charles Durrett, offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution. By encouraging older adults to share resources, reduce individual expenses, and build a supportive community, this approach shifts the focus from financial independence to shared interdependence, addressing the economic demands of aging while proactively enhancing quality of life.

For initiatives like Altair EcoVillage, cohousing represents a realistic alternative to more costly retirement homes or assisted living facilities. Unlike conventional retirement settings that often come with high fees and impersonal environments, cohousing fosters a genuine sense of community. Through resource pooling and shared amenities, individual costs for housing, utilities, and even healthcare can be significantly reduced. For instance, neighbors in a cohousing environment can assist each other with day-to-day tasks, reducing the need for paid services and empowering residents to maintain their independence longer. Shared resources—such as gardens, tools, maintenance equipment, and transportation—can minimize expenses and reduce the ecological footprint of each resident.

Offering a variety of living arrangements, from private to shared spaces, allows residents to choose options that fit both their budgets and lifestyle preferences. Shared housing, in particular, lowers individual expenses by dividing costs across multiple residents, making this form of senior living accessible to a broader population. Also: It should be noted that Pennsylvania law allows for 20% of homes to be occupied by younger families within a “55+” community. So Altair will encourage and welcome that extent of multi-generational residency.

In a market with escalating housing prices and living expenses, Altair EcoVillage will demonstrate how communitarian solutions can foster ecological, social, economic, and quality-of-life benefits relative to those provided under institutional auspices. Charles Eisenstein, in his article “To Build Community, an Economy of Gifts,” observes that “community is woven from gifts,” highlighting that true community emerges when people embrace interdependence, prioritizing support over monetary transactions. This “circle of the gift” philosophy aligns well with Altair’s vision, meeting shared needs economically and minimizing waste. Building upon this gift-based economy, Altair can create a robust, self-sustaining community where residents contribute to each other's well-being, reducing reliance on costly services.

In his book Sacred Economics (Chapter 22: “Community and the Unquantifiable”), Eisenstein writes: “To be in community is to be in personal, interdependent relationship, and it comes with a price: our illusion of independence, our freedom from obligation. You can’t have it both ways. If you want community ... you will give and receive gifts that you cannot just buy somewhere. You will not be able to easily find another source. You need each other.”

Ultimately, Altair’s vision of a cohousing-based ecovillage represents a departure from traditional retirement models, moving toward interconnected, sustainable living. Altair EcoVillage has the opportunity to shape a future where aging is met with community, environmental consciousness, and shared economic resources, offering seniors an alternative that is financially feasible, socially enriching, and ecologically sound.

Cohousing as a Network of Support and Connection

Cohousing provides a strong and sustainable way for people to age with dignity and support. As mentioned in the previous blog post (10/21/2024), one of the leading advocates of this idea is Charles Durrett (author of The Senior Cohousing Handbook), who has spent most of his career promoting the advantages of cohousing, especially for seniors. Durrett observes, “One thing to remember is that a cohousing community has residents in a wide range of ages. Not everyone gets old at once. Even senior-only communities have residents in their 50s and 60s and into their 80s and 90s.” This variety of ages and skills creates a lively environment where one person's needs can be met by another's abilities. As residents grow older, they are surrounded by neighbors who are younger or more active. This makes it possible to remain in a community that feels both familiar and connected to their care.

Denise Foley’s article, “Who Will Provide Care for Childless Boomers?” shows a clear picture of this need, especially for many boomers who are aging without immediate family. Foley points out the growing problem of “elder orphans” who don’t have nearby family members to support them. By 2050, estimates suggest that there will be fewer than three family caregivers for each person over 80. This signals a significant caregiving shortfall. For childless seniors, Foley explains that cohousing offers not just companionship, but a crucial layer of mutual aid that helps prevent isolation and improves overall quality of life. She describes seniors who have taken steps to arrange for support in their later years as the most ideal plan, and relocating into community-centered cohousing ensures that they have close neighbors to rely on, both for daily needs and during health crises. However, these solutions may not be enough because many may still face challenges in finding the right support beyond family.

Cohousing, of course, provides much more than just care; it inherently fosters connectedness and mutuality. As mentioned in Revisioning Retirement (Durrett, Study Group 1 Facilitator Guide, page 87), “When asked what contributes most to living a long life, most people believe that having a supportive social network is the key to longevity.” The shared experiences of living, celebrating, and grieving together form bonds that help alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression, which are major risks for seniors. In cohousing, members often take part in collective activities like weekly communal meals and wellness programs, that promote healthy lifestyles and strengthen social ties. The ongoing companionship among neighbors helps create an environment where individuals feel safe to reveal their vulnerabilities and ask for help when needed. Residents remember birthdays and share celebrations. Neighbors feel comfortable reaching out for assistance or lending a hand. It is this steady, ongoing companionship that not only enhances quality of life, but also fosters resilience, an important part of aging well.

Cohousing provides a strong network that enhances mental and emotional well-being, while also offering tangible assistance as needs arise. Cohousers look out for their neighbors, enabling each other to navigate the complexities of aging together. However, it's important to remember that these communities rely on active participation from all members. Although it might require extra effort, the benefits can be significant.

Why Senior Cohousing is the Future of Retirement: A Closer Look at the Altair EcoVillage Model

Hello! My name is Anthony Moleski, and I’m a senior at Penn State Abington, majoring in Marketing. As part of my journey toward a career in marketing, I’m currently interning with Altair EcoVillage. Through my role, I’ve been learning firsthand about sustainable living and senior cohousing, and I’m excited to share through blogging my insights and what I have learned!

As we progress in age, the choice of where and how to reside becomes increasingly significant. It influences not only our quality of life, but also our overall well-being and longevity. Senior cohousing presents a revolutionary and innovative approach to retirement living, offering a vibrant alternative to conventional options such as nursing homes or the experience of aging in solitude. This model, introduced to North America by architects Charles Durrett and Kathryn McCamant, encourages independent, enriched living for seniors.

“A community based on proximity offers each individual an opportunity to age near caring peers and in accommodations designed for evolving needs,” says Durrett. “The cohousing model balances community and privacy, providing residents with support, independence, spontaneous social interactions, and many other options that make successful aging much more likely.”

Unlike conventional retirement settings, senior cohousing revolves around shared values of cooperation and mutual support. It encourages the development of close-knit communities where people can provide a safety net of informal care, all while maintaining personal independence. Altair EcoVillage, forming in Kimberton PA, is in the process of designing private living spaces and common areas where residents can come together for shared meals, activities, and conversations. This daily interaction mitigates the loneliness often associated with aging, particularly for those living in isolation or in sterile institutional environments.

What makes senior cohousing particularly compelling is its design. Unlike typical homes, cohousing units are purpose-built with aging in mind. The spaces are accessible and adaptable, allowing residents to comfortably age in place without the need for costly home modifications. This proactive approach to design contrasts sharply with the often-reactive measures taken when seniors remain in homes not designed to accommodate changing mobility or health needs.

The social aspect is equally critical. Like a small village, cohousing fosters spontaneous, everyday interactions that help maintain mental and emotional well-being. Whether it's sharing a cup of coffee in the community dining room or collaborating on a garden project, these frequent interactions create a sense of belonging that is difficult to achieve in more isolated living arrangements.

Additionally, senior cohousing is often more affordable than other retirement options. Communities like Altair EcoVillage are being designed with sustainability in mind (ecological, social, and economic!), offering shared resources such as tools, gardens, and vehicles, which reduce both the environmental impact and personal costs. This model not only provides financial relief but also instills a sense of responsibility toward the environment, a value many residents cherish.

Ultimately, senior cohousing is more than just a place to live, it is a lifestyle choice that promotes independence, connection, and security. Altair EcoVillage will be a community of people who care, collaborate, and thrive together, aging in place with dignity, joy, and a sense of belonging.

For those interested in learning more about this innovative model of retirement living, see www.AltairEcoVillage.org. In the next blog post we’ll look at: 1) Care: Co-care and outside support; and 2) Connection and Co-healing: Staying healthy through community.

Evolution of the Site Plan, Part I

In December 2023, Altair hired Nave Newell to be our new Land Planner and Landscape Architect.  Having worked with Renew Design for a year or so, we had developed a Sketch Plan of the Site (see below, Renew Site Plan).  In February, we held a members’ Workshop to review the Site Plan and suggest changes.  We had two break-out rooms – one for landscaping, the other for the overall site plan, and all members and consultants had a chance to contribute to both sessions.

Renew Site plan

In March 2024, Nave Newell produced a new Sketch Plan based on our comments (see attached “March 2024 Site.”)  Note that the Dec 2023 Site Plan does not include the necessary rain gardens, and now they show diagrammatically on the March 2024 Site Plan.

Altair EcoVillage Draft Site Plan (3/24)

Here is a list of changes made, keyed into both the Dec 2023 and the March 2024 Site Plans:

1. We learned that the “active” play court was not permitted with the Zoning Ordinance, so we deleted it.  (There are open level lawns across the street at Kimberton Park, so we did not feel this would be a hardship.)

2. The Wetlands buffer was not located properly, and therefore we had to reconfigure the Accessory Building and get it out of the buffer.

3. Because we eliminated the Playing Court, this allowed for the Fire Lane to shift as well, also serving the purpose of getting it out of the wetlands buffer.

4. We are allowed a 10% area disturbance in what is considered “wetlands buffer” for the entire site.  The Community Garden, however, is “agricultural,” and therefore does not count as a disturbance.  We have a need for a rain garden at the eastern side of the site, so most of the 10% disturbance will be that rain garden.

5. We pulled the Common House drop-off lane away from the Common House to accommodate more planting beds on the south side and “streamline” the sidewalk configuration.

6. Since the Pedestrian Walkway needs to accommodate emergency vehicles, we noted that the Dec 2023 Site Plan shows no access to the Walkway, so we widened the walk in front of the Common House.

7. The Wetlands Buffer is now in the right place.

8. We felt that Buildings A & B were not as “related” as C & F, D & E were, so we turned Building A 90 degrees.  Now the site feels more community-oriented.

9. Also, the Pedestrian Walkway does not “fly off” the west, but has a more meaningful direction.

10. We reworked the Pedestrian Walkway to connect with the Community Garden, Greenhouse, and Accessory Building. 

11. This allows also for us to bring Buildings D & E closer together. We brought Buildings C & F a little closer together as well.

12. We took the first two solar carport spots nearest the Common House to house bicycles and increase the parking spots at the west end to keep the parking count the same.

13. We designated gathering nodes along the Ped Walkway – a gazebo at each end and benches where the four buildings (C, D, E, & F) look out.

14. Finally, we were able to shift the C, D, E, & F Buildings to the west, closer to the Common House, again creating a more community-oriented layout.

There is no question that all these changes were a big improvement to the Site Plan (as well as making it a more “approvable” one!)  This is a fine example of “Group Process,” consultants and members working together.  Stay tuned for the next installment as we compare our March, 2024 plan with the August, 2024 plan going to the Township for review.

Benefits of Living in Kimberton, PA

Altair residents will be able to take advantage of the natural, social, and cultural amenities of Kimberton Village, East Pikeland Township, and the surrounding environs.

Kimberton is noted for its walkable-village ambience and its legacy heritage. In regard to the latter: The Kimberton Village Historic District is distinctive enough to be included in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Original buildings that are listed in the National Register include the "Sign of the Bear" tavern (1768), the French Creek Boarding School (1787), and the Chrisman grist mill (1796, now serving as the post office). Additionally, there are a variety of vernacular farmhouses and barns, a grange hall, a former Quaker meetinghouse, and a historic railroad station. The original village was developed around fellowship and social gatherings centered at Chrisman’s Mill Tavern.

Kimberton is located within East Pikeland Township. Environmental consciousness is strong throughout the region. In 2019, the East Pikeland Board of Supervisors approved a resolution that sets a goal of moving the township toward 100% clean and renewable energy within the next several decades. The resolution was created to align with the “Ready for 100” initiative, a national program initiated by the Sierra Club. Drafted by its Environmental Advisory Council, East Pikeland’s resolution is one of many in the area including Phoenixville, Charlestown, Schuylkill, and West Chester.

Phoenixville, immediately next door to Kimberton, has recently blossomed into a notable cultural center. It’s home to the Colonial Theatre (opened in 1903!) which hosts events year-round such as concerts and special movie showings. The Dogwood Festival, featuring amusement rides, food vendors, and the Dogwood Parade, has been celebrated in Phoenixville each May since 1943.

Just five miles from Kimberton is the Valley Forge National Historical Park and the scenic Perkiomen Trail that travels through forests and alongside farms to the site of the Philadelphia Folk Festival, which takes place each August in Salford.

The abundance of culture, commerce, and recreation surrounding the Altair EcoVillage site, as well as the nearby area farms that sell locally at markets and food festivals, altogether are conducive to an especially appealing, sustainable, and healthy lifestyle.

For a slide show of Kimberton places, click this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cWidPDyh_0ju9xTYAHhvRHiMv8iHqm5A/view

Landscape Workshop

Altair hosted a highly successful Landscape Workshop at Beaver Farm on February 3. In an all-day collaborative session brimming with enthusiasm and expertise, Members, Trailblazers, and support professionals convened to discuss and consider various aspects of landscape architecture appropriate for our 8-acre parcel of land—from the selection of tree species to the intricacies of stormwater management.

During the day issues arose in regard to location of garden areas, pedestrian pathways, orientation of structures, and the integration of public amenities like gazebos and gathering spaces. A suggestion was made to initially plant smaller, more resilient trees for the sake of both cost-effectiveness and long-term viability. And we brainstormed strategies to mitigate deer intrusion in order to preserve sensitive vegetation.

The session exemplified a holistic approach to landscape design, wherein aesthetic appeal, environmental sustainability, and community engagement intersect seamlessly. In striving to assure that Altair will be seen as a beacon of innovation and excellence in site planning and development, by the end of the day we had a sense of “Mission Accomplished”!

Stay tuned for the site plan improvements that resulted from the Workshop in an upcoming Blog.

 Pictured here are Keith Marshall, Land Planner; Joel Bartlett, Project Manager; Tom Halliwell, Stormwater Management consultant

Altair EcoVillage and “The Upcycle”

Editor’s Note: Darius May, a student at Penn State Abington, is serving as Altair EcoVillage’s intern this semester.

Altair EcoVillage will be a community of people that cares for the environment. The mission, purpose, and values of the group reinforce this. In my geography class, I am reading the book “The Upcycle”. In this book, McDonough and Braungart expand on their ideas of sustainable design and propose a vision for a world where human activity not only minimizes harm to the environment but actively contributes to its regeneration and health.

The key idea of "The Upcycle" is to shift our approach from merely reducing harm (sustainability) to actively creating positive benefits for both people and the planet. It advocates for designing products and systems that are not just less harmful but are regenerative, contributing positively to environmental and social well-being.

The book explores various examples and case studies to illustrate how this approach can be applied across different industries, from architecture and manufacturing to agriculture and energy. It's a manifesto for a more optimistic and proactive approach to environmental stewardship, emphasizing the potential for innovation and creativity to drive positive change.

Altair Ecovillage is taking the idea of Upcycle and putting it into effect. There is a vision for the ecovillage to not only make the space sustainable but take it a step further by making the village work for the environment as well. On Altair’s website under “Our Purpose” is a list of what the ecovillage intends to do. An example of this is to minimize the use of fossil fuels and encourage the use of renewable energy sources. Everything from the designs of the homes, landscape, and community shows that Altair EcoVillage is a great example of upcycling.