Stoer Huus

Stoer Huus is a cohousing community located within the city walls of Bruges, Belgium. The community consists of 27 units surrounding a renovated classified villa, which serves as the main communal house. Apart from the spacious collective courtyard and some private gardens, Stoer Huus is adjacent to the Bleekweide, a centuries-old piece of nature now open to everyone. Nearby amenities include a bakery and a butcher, as well as easy access to essentials within walking or biking distance due to its central location, aligning with their ecological values. Cohousing, also known as central living in the Netherlands, fosters a sense of community and togetherness among families and individuals who maintain fully equipped individual homes or apartments while sharing communal spaces and amenities. The goal is to recreate a neighborly atmosphere reminiscent of traditional village cores, promoting social interaction and a sense of belonging within the community. Stoer Huus emphasizes that they are not a commune, as they operate on principles where not everything is communal, and everyone has an equal say in decisions. They differentiate themselves from other communal living arrangements like care homes or multigenerational housing setups. While care is important in their setup, their primary focus is being good neighbors to one another. The term "cohousing" is specified with a hyphen to encompass various forms of communal living arrangements, with Stoer Huus embodying the specific cohousing model described. Although Stoer Huus is currently at full capacity, they encourage interested individuals to leave their details for future openings. While providing insights into their community, the website offers further information about cohousing and invites questions and inquiries about the project.