Housing Programs
Rent That Pays You Back
Common Roots’ Renting Cooperative is a new way to rent. In a normal rental, your rent disappears. In a Common Roots Renting Co-op, your effort counts as cash. By taking care of your building – mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, keeping porches clean, and attending monthly meetings with your neighbors – you earn “credits” with Common Roots.
5 years: You could cash out $4,000
10 years: You could cash out $10,000
Common Roots wants our residents to love their home and stay long-term. Co-op members create a supportive community by working together to maintain their homes.
If you want to learn more, sign up, and we’ll be in touch as opportunities come.
Build a Home of Your Own
(No Experience Necessary)
Common Roots is pioneering new ways to own a home. It’s what we call Do-it-Together Homeownership.
You don’t need a lot of cash.
You don’t need to be a carpenter. We teach you everything you need to know.
It’s okay if you have physical limitations. We find tasks to fit every ability!
All you need is a willingness to work with others to get the job done.
You can build a new home. You and your future neighbors work together to build a group of homes. It’s like barn raising.
You can renovate an older home. You work with Common Roots construction staff to repair an existing house.
The Result: A home of your own with a mortgage you can actually afford.
Ready to get started? Get on the list, and we’ll be in touch!
Common Roots is making homeownership happen through Mutual Self-Help Housing. The program uses USDA 502 Loans and community support to make homeownership affordable.
Community Education and Workforce Development
In addition to developing quality affordable homes, Common Roots is building our community’s capacity to care for and rehabilitate our aging housing stock. Our team is developing resources to help community members sustainably care for their homes and partnering with workforce development agencies to provide training and apprenticeship opportunities for community members. In February 2024, we helped to launch Sturdy Boots Construction, a construction company dedicated to creating meaningful work for people in recovery.
Are you interested in volunteering your skills?
Join Our Volunteer Team
Got some skills? Interested in helping us create quality, environmentally sustainable housing? Let us know about you!
Learn Construction Skills
Do you want to work in construction? Are you interested in green building? Reach out about opportunities to work and learn with us!
Check Out What's New
Common Roots is working hard and growing fast. Read about our recent work and accomplishments.
Become a
Member
Common Roots is a membership organization. We want everyone in, because we know everyone has something to contribute.