may not be able to support yourself financially on surrounding area income
Estimated 8.5k max to live on for one year if you are healthy and do not spend money on gadgets, 5k minimum
May not have modern conveniences such as internet and close shopping
May be isolated
Will involve A LOT of manual labor to establish
It would be good to be able to pay off 40k in approximately 6 years, 8k a year
Living arrangements:
Either: 1. 3, 150 sq. foot houses….1, 150 common house -----$36,000 Total
1b. 256 sq. ft. houses---26,000*3=$39,000 to $78,000
2. One group house 600 sq. ft —$36,000 Total
20 acres $30,000
Home/ land startup: $66,000-$108,000
Solar-$7,000, Roads-$8,000,
Water infrastructure- $8,000 Sewage-? - ($10,000) ---- ---------Infrastructure: $33,000
Total cost: $99,000 to $141,000
If a member leaves, improvements and additions are fully or partially refundable if approved before purchase
Annual Costs- Taxes, Repairs, Agricultural/Permaculture maintenance
Estimated annual costs- $1,000 to $2,000 per member
11k for infrastructure, 10k for land, ? for house, per member
FINANCES:
3 Founders/SLOTS------40k each----120k total
7k down payment
The community is not responsible for paying off someone’s
mortgage if that person decides to leave
If a Founder decides to leave before 2 years----10 year reimbursement---80% of land and startup infrastructure costs
Money spent on constructing the house is 50% reimbursable (costs MUST be documented) ( house cost refundable up to $13,000)
Annual costs are non-reimbursable
Improvements and Additions are partially or fully refundable if approved before purchase and documented as such
If A Founder decides to leave after 2 years: 10 year reimbursement---90% of land and startup infrastructure costs
Money spent on constructing the house is 70% reimbursable (costs MUST be documented) (house cost refundable up to $18,200)
Annual costs are non-reimbursable
Improvements and Additions are partially or fully refundable if approved before purchase and documented as such
If a Founder/1st Tier Member is expelled from the Community: 10 year reimbursement---70% of land and startup infrastructure costs
Money spent on constructing the house is 50% reimbursable (costs MUST be documented) (house cost refundable up to $13,000)
Improvements and Additions are NOT REFUNDABLE
If A Founder Dies: The ecovillage keeps his or her contributions
If entire group disbands: split the resale evenly between founders
Total cost: $99,000 to $141,000
Extra members:
New 1st tier permanent members:
$25,000 entry fee paid over 5 years,80% refundable before 2 years, 75% refundable after 2 years
Required to build a
straw bale home up to specifications 150- 400 sq. ft. within the FIRST YEAR
Gets no
profit from property resale---receives refund if the entire property is sold
Gets access to 2 acres of arable land
Money spent on house Money spent on constructing the house is 50% reimbursable (costs MUST be documented) ( house cost refundable up to $13,000)
annual costs are non-reimbursable
2nd tier permanent members:
Don’t have any financial stake/claim in the Ecovillage
Are required to follow all the rules
Required to pay minimal fees and do minimal maintenance work
MUST live with a cofounder
Is still expected to contribute to the community
Is expected to be a positive influence
Partner/Lovers
A partner/lover (that lives at least 4 months on the property a year) of a founder can be a semi-permanent member for an extra $500 annual fee for the first 5 years. After 5 years, and the community accepts the member, the fee ends and the partner is a 2nd tier permanent member upon paying a $2,500 membership entrance fee. The $5,000 is nonrefundable.
Children
A child (that lives at least 3 months on the property a year) of a permanent member requires an extra $1,000 annual fee for the first 10 years. If the child is adopted, that fee is cut in half. For any second child, an extra $2,000 annual fee is required for the first 10 years. The fee doubles for a third child and continues t
