Cambridge MP “inspired” by new community co-housing project

A new co-housing initiative was given a boost last week when the city’s Labour MP, Daniel Zeichner, dropped in.

Mr Zeichner met members of Suvana Co-housing hear about their vision for a sustainable and shared community and their search for a development site in or around Cambridge.

Afterwards, Mr Zeichner said: “I’m inspired by the new Suvana Co-housing project. They’ve got what it takes to be an exemplar in creating community-led housing in Cambridge, with their vision and passion for building affordable and sustainable homes where people support each other and minimise use of the world’s resources.”

Chair of Suvana Co-housing, Tejasvini Rosie Bell, said: “We are very grateful to Daniel for coming to talk with us.

“We are at an early stage of our journey to create a shared, environmentally sustainable community and Daniel’s support adds to our strong sense of shared excitement.”

Mr Zeichner added: “With Cambridge’s high costs and huge profit-led developments, we definitely need more homes like this where there’s direct social benefit, so I’m happy
to offer them my support in their efforts and creative thinking to find opportunities for land and funding.”

Co-housing communities are created and run by residents. Each household has a self-contained, private home as well as shared community space. Residents manage their community, share activities, and regularly eat together. The option adds to the housing mix as the local councils struggle to develop new solutions.

Most Suvana members regularly attend Cambridge Buddhist Centre, where the meeting was held.

The new community, intended for 20-40 dwellings, will be guided by Buddhist values and will be open to anyone who shares the principles laid out in its vision, whether labelling themselves Buddhist or not.

Find out more on Instagram @suvanacam.