CO-HOUSING is where people own their living quarters but share communal space, like kitchens and gardens.

Co-Housing organisation The Henry Project is eyeing off its first potential buy in Fremantle, a complex in socially active Wray Avenue.

The large property includes two duplexes with two bedrooms, a separate house with three bedrooms and two one-bedroom flats. The configuration will allow up to four households to co-exist in a village-like atmosphere, says potential co-owner Catherine Turk.

• Henry Project owner Meriam Salama with prospective buyer Catherine Turk. Photo by Matthew Dwyer

“People who would go into these situations are interested in that sense of community,” THP founder Meriam Salama told the Herald.

Ms Turk agrees: “For me it seems a great blend of the great Australian dream of having your own house plus all the benefits of higher density urban living.”

Buyers must abide by an agreement hammered out beforehand which stipulates rights and obligations and how to deal with issues that crop up, such as parking, disputes and how long they’re obliged to stick with the project.

Fremantle has several co-operative housing projects in place but they differ in that members sign up for shares and are allocated a living space, rather than owning the space itself.

To get involved with co-housing, register on the website, http://www.henryproject.com.

by LAURA CARTER