Living Together, Learning Together: Strengthening Co-op Communities
Communal living offers residents the opportunity to build something greater than the sum of its parts—shared homes grounded in mutual care, accountability, and justice. But it isn’t without its share of challenges. Across SFCLT properties, residents often ask:
How can group decisions be made in ways that feel fair and inclusive?
What rights, responsibilities, and roles come with being a co-op member?
How can neighbors work through conflict, manage shared finances, or coordinate building needs—without losing trust or momentum?
In response to these common questions, the San Francisco Community Land Trust launched an ongoing, bilingual workshop series led by Co-op Program Manager Mayerling Castillo. These workshops are designed to meet the everyday needs of residents and support the long-term sustainability of cooperative housing.
Through practical tools and shared experiences. Each session helps residents strengthen their understanding of co-op governance, conflict resolution, and financial stewardship. More than just a training, this series is part of SFCLT’s larger mission: to ensure that community-owned housing remains not only permanently affordable, but also democratic, resilient, and rooted in collective power.
Workshop Highlight: CLTs & Co-ops 101 explored the roots, purpose, and shared principles of Community Land Trusts (CLTs) and housing cooperatives—and how these two models work together to take housing off the speculative market and put it into the hands of the people who live there.
Workshop Goals:
Understand key concepts like Communality, Solidarity Economy, and Decommodifying Housing
Learn the history and mission of CLTs and Co-ops, with roots in Black Southern land justice movements
Explore how CLTs protect land for long-term affordability, while co-ops empower residents to manage their homes democratically
Identify the values that guide cooperative living: equity, mutual aid, democracy, responsibility, and community connection
The presentation emphasized that cooperative housing isn’t just a model—it’s a movement. It connects us to a broader vision of economic justice, where the wellbeing of people and communities comes before profit. Click here for a video recording of the workshop.
Workshop Highlight: Conflict Prevention and Interpersonal Communication explored practical tools for strengthening communication and addressing conflict in democratic and community-based settings. Through reflection, skill-building, and participatory activities, participants practice techniques that promote respect, emotional awareness, and creative conflict resolution.
By fostering open, empathetic dialogue and acknowledging the challenges that arise when needs are unmet, this session encourages participants to see conflict not as a threat, but as an opportunity for growth, deeper understanding, and stronger relationships.
Workshop Goals
Practice key interpersonal communication tools such as active listening, open-ended questioning, and "I" statements to promote regenerative dialogue.
Reflect on conflict as a learning opportunity and build comfort navigating difficult conversations.
Increase awareness of how conflict shows up physically, mentally, and emotionally, and how to manage personal triggers.
Build confidence managing conflict directly before escalating issues or involving mediation.
Foster group norms that encourage participation, respect, and shared responsibility in community or organizational settings.
Resident testimonial:
"Living at the Merry Go Round over the years, I’ve often thought that our resident community has been limited when it came to managing a cooperative efficiently. These unfortunate limitations are due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of what makes a co-op operate successfully. Now that the CLT is providing helpful information and training, I am more encouraged and hopeful for our housing future. I have gotten a lot out of the monthly workshops that Mayerling facilitates. The topics that have been offered are ones that I truly feel the MGR, at times, has struggled with. Subjects like working together as a community, navigating conflict resolution, best practices for effective communication, interacting with respect, holding ourselves and each other accountable, practical Maintenance Committee processes along with a little background and history on Community Land Trusts and Co-Op Community living, have all been really interesting and helpful. I’ve appreciated the format of our workshops which always include group guidelines, an agenda, a power point and sometimes snacks! And I really enjoy when residents from other properties attend. I am grateful for the effort put into our sessions and look forward to more in the future." ~ Brian F.
Upcoming workshops:
Collective Care
This session will explore ways to nurture a caring and supportive community, ensuring that everyone’s well-being is prioritized. Implementing systems that promote shared responsibility, mutual respect, and collaboration to create an inclusive environment for all.
House Agreements, Mission, Vision, and Values
This session will focus on creating and aligning House Agreements, as well as defining and reviewing our cooperative's Mission, Vision, and Values. We will work together to define and review shared goals, principles, and expectations that guide our interactions and collaboration.
Accountability & Responsibility
This session will explore the importance of accountability and responsibility in our cooperative. We will discuss how to build trust, set clear expectations, and create systems that ensure everyone is responsible for upholding the values and agreements of the house.
Decision-Making Process
This session will explore different decision-making models, learn how to ensure everyone’s voice is heard, and create fair and effective systems that empower all members to contribute to important choices.