The committee that manages the community is rotated to avoid entrenchment. Experience from other cohousing communities has shown that active participation from the residents from the beginning of the project is both empowering and bonding. Building a neighborhood is hard work. Working together and actively participating in the development and design process forges a strong and well functioning community. In cohousing, there are no requirements of participation.
Residents participate because they want to, according to their time, ability and desire.
Residents in a cohousing community all know each other thereby providing an excellent neighborhood watch system. Someone who doesn't belong in the community is easily recognized. Residents do not ignore a neighbor's automobile or house alarm, but react to it as if it were their own property. Residents who travel can rest easier knowing that their home and property is being watched over by the community. Cohousing promotes energy efficient design and the use of efficient construction materials.