Co-Housing Disputes: Strategies For Harmonious Conflict Resolution?

Co-housing developments are a growing trend in Australia and internationally. They provide the opportunity to purposefully choose fellow members in a residential development while offering the opportunity to incorporate a shared value approach to living in communities including high-density living. The research described in this article attempted to explore whether purposeful developments, such as co-housing initiatives, have insights into effective conflict management schemes. This research project includes three case studies of co-housing developments, analysing interviews from key members. In each interview questions are explored about the nature of conflicts experienced and the adequacy of the approaches to conflict management. The data gives insights about value-based conflict management systems in co-housing developments and the challenges that persist in living in community-based arrangements.