Du•má is a close-knit group of eight to eleven people living together in a beautiful old home on a quiet residential neighborhood in Eugene just south of the University of Oregon.
People of all ages have lived at Duma–from newborn to seniors. During the day people are typically at work and in the evening come together to enjoy vegetarian dinners. We share our living expenses (but not our incomes), nurture our relationships with one another, and share the joys and responsibilities of taking care of our large home.
We have a large lot with an impressive garden that includes fruit trees, berry vines, vegetables, flowers, and herbs. We also have solar panels, a sauna, hot tub, beehive, cob oven, and a chicken coop.
Du•má began as a vision of several people who lived together collectively in the late 1980s. They aspired to buy a home that could be a model of both sustainability and community. The first eight members began living together in 1990. Over the years dozens of people have lived at Du•má–some for many years.
One-by-one every room in the house was renovated, windows replaced, and wood floors re-finished. The gravel parking lot in back was removed and replaced with fruit tress, vegetables, and a deck.
Visitors often remark that we are community is clean and well organized. They notice the many little touches that make our home beautiful and notice that we usually get along well with each other. Visitors who share dinner with us comment on our scrumptious vegetarian meals.
While the founders aspired to have everyone become a co-owner, the responsibility and stamina required to hold a collective vision, nurture community, and be homeowners was more than most people were able to commit to. Over time, members of the core group moved on to other things and by 2009 only one member of the core group remained.
The stewardship of Du•má is now in the hands of one person while the shared day-to-day decisions about food, events, etc. are held by all the residents. With one person taking on this responsibilities of home ownership there’s a clear line of accountability, meetings are shorter, and there are fewer chores for residents. But the trade-off is less group autonomy. In time, the vision is to return to a form of shared ownership and responsibility.
Visitors are welcome to stay on a night-by-night basis for up to 3 nights. Contact us at least one week in advance to make arrangements. Please understand the we receive a lot of inquire so we’re not always able to respond to every inquiry promptly.
From time to time we are looking for people to live with us. We seek people who expect to live at Du•má for at least a year, preferably longer. If this arrangement appeals to you please be in touch.
The mission of Duma is to demonstrate a more sustainable and fulfilling way of living.
We are often seeking people to live with us. Typically the process begins with a written inquiry followed by a phone call. We have a strong preference for people who either live in Eugene or have connections here. If you live locally we will have an initial meeting and tour. If we mutually want to proceed, we will invite you to dinner and/or other activities so we can get to know one another. Often we invite prospective housemates to stay in our guest room for a night or two to see what daily life is like. Ultimately we will have an interview to ask one another questions to help discern whether it’s a good match. The process usually takes three weeks or longer. Generally, the more time we have to get to know one another, the better.
Write or call us at least one week before you wish to visit us. Please understand the we receive a lot of inquire so we’re not always able to respond to every inquiry promptly.
A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.
Still developing or unclear governance approach.
Decisions about day-to-day matters such as chores and our food budget are made by consensus. Decisions related to homeownership are made by the owner.
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Labor: Yes (5 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
Contact us for current information about monthly expenses.
Common House, Garden(s), Workshop, Hot tub or hot springs, Large Scale Kitchen, Fire pit, Internet
Connecting people and communities through an intentional online marketplace
A residential project: people live here as their primary home.
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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