Collective Challenge, Collective Strength: Community As a Healer in Times of Division

Seven weeks into overseas travel funded by my Churchill Fellowship (opens new window), I’m currently journeying through California and Oregon to explore how communal-oriented housing initiatives - such as housing cooperatives, cohousing, ecovillages, tiny home villages and permanent supported housing - can build social cohesion, with a special interest in intergenerational communities (opens new window).

My time has overlapped with a historic US Presidential Election that shook the globe, opening my eyes to the power of living in community when facing collective challenge. The election results were met with heavy disappointment and raw fear in many communities, as well as total shock, which in itself, underscores the extent to which the US is deeply divided. Unlike many Americans processing these feelings alone, these communities didn’t retreat inward. Instead, they leaned into one another, drawing on the power of collective reflection and support.

In the days following, communities came together in different ways such as: sharing circles to facilitate collective reflection and debate, an ‘emergency’ common meal, redirecting energy into and a renewed focus on their collective vision and activism, and even shared laughter over an impromptu karaoke night. Different approaches, but a shared truth: collective anguish calls for collective care and response.

The election is not unique in this way; amidst shake ups in society, housing communities often bond more tightly. For example, I’ve been told many stories from residents about the power of their community during the pandemic - another collective challenge met with a collective response. Lockdowns pushed people apart physically, but they sparked countless acts of unity and collaboration in these communities, such as group music making across balconies, community bike rides and meal trains for sick residents - presenting a stark contrast to the isolation felt by so many people across the world who were not living in community.

In communal housing, shared difficult experiences can be a source of group strength, reminding us that in challenging times, it’s our connections that keep us resilient.

The US and the UK are both deeply polarised, with respectful discourse, trust and empathy often feeling like rare commodities. In both societies, the response to collective challenges requires a collective approach. In the intentional communities I’ve visited, people come together not only to share space but to share their lives - in times of joy and, especially, of hardship.

Intentional, community-oriented housing offers one model for healing divisions and building collective resistance - as well as the myriad benefits it offers around cost of living, housing stock, resource usage, convenience and health and wellness. Looking forward, we might need this model more than ever. Although not a silver bullet, creating living spaces where people are encouraged to listen, share, and process collectively, is certainly part of the answer when it comes to building a society that is more united and better equipped to face challenges which lie ahead.

To find out more about Savannah’s research, contribute or discuss any collaboration opportunities, email her at savfishel1@gmail.com

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If you found this of interest, the Housing LIN curates a dedicated webpage on intergenerational housing and different community-led solutions here.

You may also be interested in joining us tomorrow when the Housing LIN will be hosting a HAPPI Hour webinar in Intergenerational Living.