Victorian house with green siding and multiple bay windows in an urban neighborhood.

Audre Lorde Cooperative House

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • Home-sharing
  • Urban

Founding year

  • 1996

What we do

Audre Lorde Co-op is a 14-room household that provides a safe space for people of all ages committed to advocating a sustainable and socially just society. We are an actively pro-people-of-color, racial justice, pro-feminist, and pro-queer/LGBT-loving household. Our intent is to bring together individuals in an environment that fosters and is supportive of their activist endeavors, as well as creating a safe place for living. House decisions are made by modified consensus or majority. We are located near Zoe Bayliss, Lothlorien, Ambrosia, Nottingham, and Rivendell Co-ops.
House members contribute roughly 5-6 hours of their time each week for work jobs such as cooking, washing dishes, cleaning various common spaces, paying bills, grocery shopping, serving as a house representative for the board and various committees of Madison Community Cooperative, and many other jobs that go toward the upkeep and continuance of the household.
We are committed to accessibility and disability justice. Unfortunately, all the bedrooms are on the second and third floors with no elevator access. There is level entry to the first floor and parking space at the rear of the house.
Everyone in the house pays $100 a month to purchase bulk food.
We have house meetings every Thursday night that can last anywhere from forty-five minutes to three hours. These meetings are a chance for us to communicate with one another as a group about any issues, problems, plans, or changes, in a forum that insures everyone an equal chance to be heard.
Contact the Audre Lorde residence at au*************@**************ty.coop

Our Mission

activist cooperative

  • Purpose
  • Home-sharing
  • Community type
  • Coliving
  • Activities
  • Property management
  • Experiences

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 1996
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 1996
  • Started living together
  • 14 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
14

Primary decision-making authority

  • All Community Members Together

The whole membership decides collectively.

Decision-making process

  • Majority Vote

More than 50% agreement needed.

Governance structure

  • Representative/Democratic

Members elect leaders who make decisions within defined roles.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a one-time fee, investment, or share purchase to join the community separate from accessing housing
  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • There is a labor obligation
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Join fee: $200
Regular fees: $100
Labor: Yes (6 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
There is a $200 security deposit.
Monthly payments for own room, as well as $100 for food and supplies

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Common House, Garden(s), Library, Large Scale Kitchen, Internet

Frequency of communal meals

  • About once a week

Dietary restriction

  • People can cook and eat what they want in their own residence

Community activities and engagement

  • Volunteer, Internship, or Apprenticeship, or WWOOF’ing
  • Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner's Association

Substance use culture

  • Substance use occurs primarily at celebrations or ceremonies

Gender composition

  • Majority non-binary/gender diverse (over 30%)

Age demographics

  • Mixed adults (few or no children)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a Land Trust, Home Owners Association, or corporation

Setting

  • Urban

Within city limits with access to urban amenities and infrastructure.

Community type

  • Coliving

    Shared living spaces with private bedrooms/bathrooms and communal
    kitchens, dining, and social areas.

Self-produced energy

  • Up to 33%

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • Up to 33%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Land area size
    .15 acres

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Location

  • Wisconsin, United States

Needs and Offers

Offer
  • Real Estate For Sale
2 months ago

“Lots” of Goodness For Sale!

Are you seeking to live in a sustainable, wellness-oriented community that prioritizes nature and environmental conservation? Living Well Ecovillage offers the perfect opportunity to be part of a vibrant, self-sufficient community committed to holistic health and ecological harmony. Available lots are equipped with city utilities and fiber internet access. Located in a unique mixed-use community with a variety of land uses planned for the future, including small business/commercial spaces, tiny houses, cluster housing, and a 10-acre farm. Currently, there are still 7 lots available. The Ecovillage is home to a diverse range of homes, such as timber frame, Deltec, hempcrete, and Net-Zero energy designs—all built with green building principles in mind. This community prioritizes sustainability and wellness in every aspect of life. About the Living Well Ecovillage Spanning 126 acres, the Living Well Ecovillage is bordered by the Deep River and Sandy Creek, offering stunning natural beauty and a tranquil environment. The Ecovillage includes shared spaces like a community garden, a Greenway/Rail Trail, and a neighborhood park. Over 53 acres of natural land buffer the river and creek, preserving the area’s pristine beauty and offering residents a true connection to nature. Your Dream Home Awaits Find your ideal spot to build your sustainable home, surrounded by trees, rock outcroppings, and abundant wild edible plants. Experience breathtaking views and a peaceful setting, perfect for those seeking a slower, more connected way of life. A Community That Supports Wellness The Living Well Ecovillage is not just about space—it’s about community. With access to the Folk School, residents engage in hands-on learning, sustainable practices, and personal growth, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Perfectly Located Just
Need

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Communities

A residential project: people live here as their primary home.

Organizations

An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).

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