What is WHIM? 

WHIM is a  Women's Housing Initiative Manitoba co-operative. The objective of WHIM is to share housing with women over 50 - to share costs, and ideas, and be supportive to one another, while still having private space.  The concept is called co-housing.

Co-housing means sharing a house with other women that is not just a place to live.  The concept is to create a respectful environment, to learn from one another and from others, to use our knowledge and skills in a meaningful way, to be supportive of one another and to live life to the fullest.   We are open to all cultures, spiritual beliefs and sexual orientation.

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Criteria for consideration

• Women

• Over 50

• Interested in sharing a house, costs

• Interested in living in a respectful and supportive environment

• Interested in expanding their minds, contributing to the community at large in meaningful way and having fun.

 

Where?

A house has been renovated to accommodate this concept. It is in Winnipeg's Riverview area, across from Fisher Park and 3 blocks from Osborne St South.

 

The house is a 3 storey with 6 bedrooms, and an additional bedroom in the basement for guests. One bedroom on the main floor is accessible and there is a future plan for a chair lift to the second floor for greater accessibility.

  

There are four shared bathrooms.

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On the first floor is a living room, dining room, office, large family room, kitchen and sun room. 

There is a kitchen/laundry/sewing room space on the second floor.

The basement is fully finished and has a bathroom, laundry, a tool room, an exercise room and a guest room for friends and family.

 

Outside is a hot tub, a deck, a double garage, and a green space for gardening.

 

Across the street is a park with a running or walking track. On Osborne Street (walking distance) is a Safeway, library, Fort Rouge Leisure Centre with activities and exercise room, Park Theatre, 3 good restaurants and a pharmacy.

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Your Stuff, My Stuff

Some people have said “But what do I do with my stuff? ”Wherever we can, we can amalgamate some of your stuff with what is here already. We would like to be able to accommodate those things that are special to you, like pictures or Great Aunt Anna’s teapot. For others, there are several storage spots in the house, but large furniture may not be accommodated. We would suggest you check out storage places until you are sure this is right for you.

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Guidelines

Interested women will be met with to discuss the pros and cons and determine what is important to them to ensure that there is a match with other residents.  Guidelines will be established as a group but here are some:

• Support respect and equality for all

• Open to all cultures, religious beliefs and sexual orientation

• Willing to help others

• Willing to take on ongoing and occasional tasks to maintain space

• Able to resolve conflict in a respectful manner

• Support environmental measures like recycling

• Open to kids and family who visit

• No smoking in house or yard

• Pets to be discussed (Some allergic to cats.)