GrassRoutes Cohousing began in February 2016 with a large public meeting of people interested in alternative forms of housing.  Our group evolved over time.  From the beginning we used sociocracy as both a governing and decision making structure.  Together we created a strong social community, incorporated as a Cooperative Corporation, hired professionals to help through the cohousing development process.  When looking for a location, we came across another cohousing group in Guelph with a shared vision. 

 

Speedvale Cohousing, in Guelph, started in 2012 with a group called the Sustainable Intentional Living Community (SILC). They assembled land for the development.  Proposed preliminary designs were developed by a local architect and a rezoning application was submitted to the city and approved February 14, 2023.

​

On March 4, 2023 GrassRoutes and Speedvale Cohousing met for a day-long workshop to discuss joining together to continue with the creating social agreements, site plan approvals, designing and constructing the buildings that will be the home of the GrassRoutes Cohousing community.