Our first residents will be living at Karwick Village before the end of this year. With our first-year co-op beginning, we thought it would be a wonderful time to do a quick overview of how the Karwick Village Co-op works and how Homeward Bound Villages will support the Co-op. Our rental co-op at Karwick Village reimagines what it means to be a renter, giving ownership-like decision-making power to the community.
What Makes Karwick Village Different?
Our 12-unit community operates as a rental co-op, a unique model that gives residents something often reserved for homeowners: real decision-making power over their living environment. While our residents will rent their unit, they’ll also be invited to join the Karwick Village Co-op, giving residents meaningful input into how the community operates and evolves.
Karwick Village sits on land owned by Homeward Bound Villages, ensuring the land remains forever affordable. Operating essentially as a community land trust, Homeward Bound Villages provides the foundation that makes this permanently affordable housing model possible.
This structure empowers the residents of Karwick Village by building connections and creating a place that truly feels like home, as they help shape the community.
Building the Foundation: Our First Year
As we prepare to welcome our first residents later this year, we’re taking a thoughtful approach to launching this community. We’re currently filling our initial five units, while our one ADA-accessible unit is still available for application. (Please get in touch with us for more information on the remaining ADA-accessible unit.)
These first residents will join our inaugural co-op alongside experienced community members from outside Karwick Village. Homeward Bound Villages will oversee and guide this first-year co-op, providing support and mentorship as the community establishes itself. This first-year board has a special mission: to guide the co-op through its foundational year, mentor new residents in co-op governance, and establish systems that will support resident leadership for years to come.
We’re still seeking volunteers for a few seats on this crucial first-year co-op from outside of Karwick Village. We’re especially looking for a treasurer who can help establish our financial practices and procedures and skilled people offering workshops or classes on building healthy working relationships. If you’re interested in being part of this launch, please get in touch with us at info@homewardboundvillages.org.
The Transition to Resident Leadership
After one year of guided collaboration, something transformative happens: the external community board members step back, and the residents of Karwick Village take full ownership of their co-op and board. This transition marks the moment when the community truly becomes resident-led, with current residents making decisions that impact their living. Homeward Bound Villages will remain the land owner and provide oversight to the Karwick Village Co-Op.
The beauty of our affordable rental co-op lies in the everyday and extraordinary decisions residents make together. The Karwick Village Co-op will have the power to shape community life in ways both small and significant:
Everyday decisions include whether to plant a community garden, what vegetables or flowers to grow, or what color to paint the unit doors.
Bigger initiatives could involve organizing community events and shared dinners, bringing in instructors to teach classes on topics that interest residents, or creating programs that strengthen the bonds between neighbors.
The possibilities are limited only by the imagination and energy of the community itself. The ability to make these community led decisions are what sets Karwick Village apart.
So Much More Than a Place To Live
This is about creating a community where residents don’t just live alongside each other; they actively participate in building something meaningful together. It’s about having a voice that matters, making decisions collectively, and experiencing the pride that comes from shaping their own environment.
