The Meaning of a “Sense of Community” in a Finnish Senior Co-Housing Community

Cohousing schemes are developed to fulfill the need for a housing type that provides mutual support and social contacts while alleviating the isolation and loneliness often experienced in ordinary neighborhoods. This study, on a senior co-housing community in Finland, asked what a “sense of community” meant to the residents and how a sense of community becomes visible in daily life. The findings of this study showed that moving in later life can offer a viable option of having a living environment that one likes, which calls for a broader interpretation of housing policy guided by “aging in place” thinking.