Eno Commons

Durham, North Carolina, United States

Last updated: January 29, 2018 (2 seconds ago)
Listing created on: January 25, 2005

Mission Statement

Being a good neighbor

Community Description

Eno Commons is a community of 22 houses clustered together on 11 acres in Durham, North Carolina. Our homes are either 1483 or 1974 square feet, with passive solar design and energy efficient geo-thermal heating and cooling. Homes are individually owned, but we share a common house (and common meals once or twice a week), a workshop, a playground, an organic vegetable garden, and lots of green space. We have neighbors at a variety of ages and stages, with lots of opportunity for socializing, project work, and community building.

Status: Established (At least 4+ adults, 2+ years)
Started Planning: 1992
Start Living Together: 1998
Visitors accepted: Yes
Open to new Members: Not currently, but there is a list or possibly in the future
Please read the details in Membership below before contacting this community. Send Message
Website address: http://www.enocommons.org/
Contact Name: Eno Commons

About

Type(s): Cohousing (individual homes within group owned property)

Programs & Activities: Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner’s Association

Location: Suburban

Housing

Status: We have land we have developed on

Area: 11.2 acres

Current Residence Types: Single-family homes

Current Number of Residences: 22

Planned number of residences: 22

Planned Residence Types: Single-family homes

Housing Provided: Purchase, Rental

Land owned by: plat are owned by members, common land, structures by community

Additional Comments:
Includes a Common House and barn(workshop)

The homeowner’s association (HOA) owns the common land with private ownership for lots and houses. Common land is about 9 of our 11.24 acres. The HOA also owns the Common House and a workshop.

There are two house types: 11 House A/1483 sq ft and 11 House B/1974 sq ft.

22

Downstairs: 1875 sq ft, Upstairs: 515 sq ft; Upstairs has one guest bedroom

Membership

Adult Members: 36

Child Members: 16

Non-member Residents: 3

Percent Women: 61-70%

Percent Men: 21-30%

Percent Transgender: 0%

Visitors accepted: Yes

Visitor Process:
We generally do tours on Community Dayz (community work days which occur about every 6 to 8 weeks). Please email [email protected] to arrange a tour.

Membership Process:
membership comes with ownership of house.

Additional Comments:
There are kids who go to public school while others go to private school.

Government

Decision Making: Modified Consensus (everyone agrees, with some exceptions or fallbacks.)

Identified Leader: No

Leadership Core Group: Yes

Additional Comments:
a collaborative approach based on communicating openly

Economics

Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes

Regular Fee per Month: $110

Shared Income: None

Required Labor Contribution per Week: 0

Open to members with existing debt: Yes

Additional Comments:
We do not review finances. If you need a mortgage to buy a house, the bank will determine if you are credit worthy.

Members are expected to contribute to the work of maintaining and building the community. There is a committee to help match your skills/desires/availability to the needs of the community.

Members pay $110/mo HOA dues which are used for maintenance of common property and other items that the group decides upon.

Sustainability Practices

Energy Infrastructure: We are connected to the grid.

Current renewable energy generation: Up to 25%

Energy sources: Solar, Geothermal, Connected to the Grid

Planned renewable energy generation: Up to 25%

Current food produced: Up to 25%

Planned food produced: Up to 25%

Food produced locally: Up to 25%

Lifestyle

Common Facilities: Common House, Garden(s), Workshop

Internet Available: Yes, both the community and individuals provide it

Internet Fast?: Yes, it’s fine.

Cell Phone Service: Good for most people.

Shared meals: 2-5 times per week

Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (plants and animals), GMO Free (only non-genetically modified organisms), Mostly Vegetarian, Kosher, Gluten-Free

Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No – people may eat however they wish.

Special Diets OK: Sometimes

Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.

Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.

Additional Diet Comments:
Every Sunday and Tuesday and occasional other meals as well’

organic community garden supplements community and individual meals

vegetarian option at all community meals

Common Spiritual Practice(s): Ecumenical (accepts all religions or spiritual practices), Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, Quaker, Unitarian Universalist, Atheist, Agnostic