Victorian house with lush greenery and a hammock in front yard.

International Cooperative House (ICH)

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • Home-sharing
  • Urban

Founding year

  • 1968

What we do

International Co-op House (ICH) has been around for over 35 years. Our premise is that through cooperation a large group of people can live together in pleasant surroundings, with the freedom to determine their own affairs. We endeavor to create a comfortable atmosphere where people feel free to share themselves socially. We are culturally and politically diverse, including both Americans and international persons, and we make our own decisions by majority vote on policy and by consensus vote on membership. Our meal plan includes healthy vegetarian meals and occasional meat dishes. Free laundry facilities, phone, high-speed internet, some parking, and indoor bike storage are available. Our co-op is located two blocks from campus and State Street.
Contract Terms: We are able to offer early contract release to those who are required to leave Madison.
Located two blocks from campus and State Street, our house has existed for many years. Although we speak many different languages, we are a close group of friends. Our premise is that through cooperation a large group of people can live together in pleasant surroundings with freedom to determine their own affairs. While we are primarily students, our members are culturally and politically diverse, including both Americans and international people.

Our Mission

Housing Cooperative

  • Purpose
  • Home-sharing
  • Community type
  • Coliving
  • Student Co-op

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 1968
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 1968
  • Started living together
  • 26 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
26

Basic expectations or agreements for members

please start by email – in***************@***al.com

Primary decision-making authority

  • Small Leadership Group

A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.

Decision-making process

  • Modified Consensus

Generally seek agreement, but have backup methods when consensus isn’t reached.

Governance structure

  • Collaborative/Horizontal

Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.

Conflict resolution approach

Members run the coop themselves, through a board of directors. Directors elected from membership.

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: $45
Regular fees: Yes
Labor: Yes (6 hrs/week)

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

Common House

Frequency of communal meals

  • Approximately 1 meal per day

Gender composition

  • Roughly balanced (no group over 60%)

Age demographics

  • Mixed adults (few or no children)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • Other

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.

  • Student Co-op

    Cooperative housing primarily for students, often with shared chores,
    meals, and democratic decision-making.

Guest Book

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Location

  • Wisconsin, United States

International Cooperative House (ICH)

Needs and Offers

Connecting communities through an intentional online marketplace

  • Promoted
Offer
  • Promoted
Offer
  • Communities with Openings
7 months ago

Worktrade Opportunities on Big Island Hawaii

We are continuing our work-trade program at Bridge Hawaii for the right people on this beautiful 86-acre land located along the Hāmākua Coast. Ideally, we want to host those individuals who can help with the garden and who can support with build projects for up to a 3 month stay. This work-trade would include lodging, food staples, community kitchen, running hot water showers, off-grid electricity, and laundry. There is access to high speed wi-fi. We often have a car that can be reserved. We also have full bar signal strength with Verizon cellphone service. We have about 2 acres of permaculture garden that needs to be cared for including; weeding, planting, picking up mulch, some tree trimming, ect. We are currently in a building stage on the land. We have a few current grant projects we are working on and some build projects that are underway. We are an intentional community with about 8 permanent residents. There are rescue dairy cows, mini cows, mini donkeys, horses, a donkey, cats, dogs, and active bee hives. We are a drug and alcohol “free” space. A glass of wine or beer with dinner is fine, but absolutely no day drinking or parties. We have a meditation temple and many waterfall pools that are wonderful for swimming. Close to some of the nicest beaches on island. We have snorkeling gear and a kayak. Since this is an animal sanctuary, we limit the consumption of meat on the land. Fish, eggs, honey, and dairy are fine. Let me know if you’re interested by sending an email or text for our application. Maomi (801) 623-0738 ma***@*****************ii.com
  • Promoted
Offer
  • Housing For Rent + Shared
8 months ago

Home share available for sister/brother in Christ

I’m excited to be looking for Intentional Christ- based Community. I’d love to share my home with other family in Christ, and possibly share a weekly bible study and/or perhaps evening meals together. I’d enjoy coming up with creative ways to share the gospel and serve others in the local community together if you’re inclined and we each have the time. My 18 year old is out of the house now, but I haven’t yet taken new photos, so although his posters are in these pictures, his things have now been removed from the room with the exception of his bed, which can be switched out for yours if necessary. I’m open to drafting mutually agreeable rules, boundaries, and ways of handling any possible conflicts that may come up so they can be settled in a loving and respectful way as they arise. Some non-negotiable ground rules I have are no smoking, vaping, drinking, or drugs, including Marijuana. I prefer only godly programming and Christ-centered music, as I am very intentional about my spiritual environment. To test the waters, I’d be up for praying over the decision, a bible study over zoom, as well as an in person meal once or twice to get to know each other, with of course a tour of the house. Coming together to share how we feel led to proceed after that seems reasonable. I have a very large smart TV, internet, washer & dryer, large fenced yard with a fire pit, and a shed for storing outdoor items. I am open to drafting a lease for either 6 months or a year. My thoughts were $700/month with trash, water, electric, and internet all inclusive. Happy community hunting, I hope to hear from you soon, and God bless! 💜🌈🥰✝️

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

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