Overview

Wasatch Commons in Salt Lake City, Utah, balances the traditional advantages of home ownership with the benefits of shared common facilities and ongoing connections with neighbors. The community consists of 26 clustered townhouses located on 4.5 acres near downtown Salt Lake City. Members cooperate to maintain the land and collectively perform the common chores. Most community members own their homes; and a few homes are federally assisted rent-to-own units for low-income families. Much of community life centers around the common house, where residents share some meals, and meet to make decisions about community affairs.