Review – Land Sharing

Municipal Policy Review

Harmony Habitat has reviewed municipal bylaws in 56 communities in our climate region to determine how many of these municipalities enable accessory dwellings. Of the 5ommunities we’ve surveyed to date, 75% of them allow some sort of secondary detached dwelling.

Review Process

Harmony Habitat conducted interviews and consultations with over twenty-five stakeholders and experts including, lenders, mortgage insurers, developers, planners, intentional community founders, co-housing consultants, communications consultants, surveyors, real estate agents, planners, experienced land share partners, would-be land share partners, CMHC, and lawyers with experience in real estate, corporate, sharing, land use, and non profit law. This review and our subsequent review of readings and other information resources confirmed that current options for land partnerships are limited. Harmony Habitat also held focus group meetings and enlisted research volunteers to develop a laypersons’ draft land partnership agreement. Below see information resources consulted and a summary of key findings.

To view the findings see the following page:

Summary of Key Findings

Information Resources

Harmony Habitat reviewed existing legal, financial and governance structures in place to support the requirements of two partners sharing land (liability protection, resale value, protection of quality of life, decision making/conflict resolution guidelines). We also reviewed literature supporting pathways to and the need for greater social connectivity, the downside of both loneliness and living alone and solutions to the growing crisis of social isolation and loneliness. Some additional information sources are listed below.

Publications

The Sharing Solution -book by Attorney Janelle Orsi of the Sustainable Economy Law Center

Co-Housing Toolkit by Janelle Orsi of the Sustainable Economy Law Center

Affordable Housing Co-Housing Toolkit, US Co-Housing Association

Owning our Future, the emerging ownership revolution for regenerative economy -book by Marjorie Kelly

Creating a Life Together- book by Community Developer and Co-Housing Columnist Diana Leaf Christian

Policies for Shareable Cities by Sustainable Economies Law Center

Plan H Program’s Healthy Housing Report, a partnership between BC Healthy Communities Society and Healthy Families BC

Victoria Vital Signs

Vancouver Vital Signs

Social Benefits of Stable Housing by Realtor.org

Slow Homes Manifesto by Attorney, Janelle Orsi of the Sustainable Economies Law Centre