What is usually the first step in forming a housing cooperative?

The first step in forming a housing cooperative is finding members. This is essential because a housing cooperative is fundamentally a collective effort that requires the participation of individuals who share the same interest in living collaboratively. Without a group of committed members, it is challenging to establish the cooperative and proceed with subsequent steps, such as acquiring property or creating governing documents.

Finding members involves outreach and can include marketing efforts, community meetings, or informational sessions to gauge interest and recruit individuals who are willing to join the cooperative. This foundational step sets the tone for the cooperative's future direction, member engagement, and overall viability.

Once a solid group of members has been identified, the cooperative can then move forward with acquiring property, documenting rules, and designing the layout—all of which are critical but follow after the initial gathering of interested members.