COMMUNITY SPIRIT

What we do. Elkhorn Group transforms underutilized properties into vibrant communities. In Bend, Oregon we converted an old run-down motel on the edge of downtown to a coliving home where 20+ residents share meals, laundry, and garden space. When a group of eight young families wanted to live together in San Francisco, Elkhorn oversaw the entire project from property identification to creating the rules and structure for the ongoing success of the new neighbors.

We have had projects fail. The smallest property we operate is a stick built home with 13 residents. The largest is a mobile home park with 105 families. Living in larger groups is fun and should be an available form of housing for anybody who wants it.

We get excited about every stage of the process from the first spark of interest to re-designing the physical space to community bylaws.

Why we do it. Our society moved toward an individualistic structure where we live within smaller family units, or with a few friends, or alone. Because of the better economics with smaller living units, developers are building luxury condominiums, studios, and micro-lofts. It's good to have smaller living units for people who want that experience. For people interested in living in larger residences designed to foster and maintain strong connections with 10+ friends and neighbors, there aren't many options. 

Our goal is to increase the supply of larger community homes and properties. We look all over the country for buildings and complexes that can be retrofitted to support communal living.

These projects can be tenancies-in-common (TICs), coliving homes, cohousing communities, and micro-neighborhoods. The properties we start with - former farms, assisted living facilities, single family homes, hotels, apartment buildings - can all be foundations for communal housing.

Our experience is that well managed community housing, with shared goals and shared values, enriches people who live both in and around the property. Our residents help to create neighborhoods that are vibrant, attractive, and full of life.  We would like to see a thriving community home in each neighborhood in the country. 

If you and a group of friends or family are interested in learning how to start living together, please contact us. We’d love to help.