Co-op Details
Our housing co-op was founded through a UMD senior's capstone project, described as 'half thesis, half action plan & resource guide', in 2009. Over the last 9 years, our organization has grown to include 5 houses which, we are proud to say, provide affordable, community-oriented living. Being located just north of Washington DC and in a college town with great student demand, affordable housing options are scarce. Throughout the many changes happening in College Park right now, CHUM, as we like to call ourselves, continues to provide low rent, not to mention mutual support and community engagement.
Each house in CHUM tends to have their own dynamic, along with a fun name like Crow’s Nest, Flamingo Paradise, or Shark Jar. Whether it’s house dinners (offered 5 nights a week across all our houses), biweekly potlucks, or community gardening -- food plays an important role in our community. Many of our members are vegans or vegetarians, as well as care deeply about social justice on- and off-campus.
From Bringers of Fun to Gardening to Finance, our committees form the backbone of our intentional community. Not only do we accept members from all walks of life, but we empower our members to fully become part of our community, engaging them with the opportunity to improve that very community.
We are looking forward to more deeply engaging with College Park and UMD policy affecting housing opportunities, as we believe we can be faithful representatives of co-operative housing as an alternative model for solving the problems of economic disparity and community degradation. Through all this, we are also making steps forward to own our first house, a step which will be transformative for our members as well as our message.
CHUM provides communal living environment at affordable rates, in a sustainable and environmentally-conscious way.
Yes
$450
$50, includes staples such as produce, grains, cereal, milk.
4-6 hours weekly for house maintenance/chores. About the same monthly for committee obligations, whose responsibilities change depending on the committee.
2-5 times per week
Our housing co-op was founded through a UMD senior's capstone project, described as 'half thesis, half action plan & resource guide', in 2009. Over the last 9 years, our organization has grown to include 5 houses which, we are proud to say, provide affordable, community-oriented living. Being located just north of Washington DC and in a college town with great student demand, affordable housing options are scarce. Throughout the many changes happening in College Park right now, CHUM, as we like to call ourselves, continues to provide low rent, not to mention mutual support and community engagement.
Each house in CHUM tends to have their own dynamic, along with a fun name like Crow’s Nest, Flamingo Paradise, or Shark Jar. Whether it’s house dinners (offered 5 nights a week across all our houses), biweekly potlucks, or community gardening -- food plays an important role in our community. Many of our members are vegans or vegetarians, as well as care deeply about social justice on- and off-campus.
From Bringers of Fun to Gardening to Finance, our committees form the backbone of our intentional community. Not only do we accept members from all walks of life, but we empower our members to fully become part of our community, engaging them with the opportunity to improve that very community.
We are looking forward to more deeply engaging with College Park and UMD policy affecting housing opportunities, as we believe we can be faithful representatives of co-operative housing as an alternative model for solving the problems of economic disparity and community degradation. Through all this, we are also making steps forward to own our first house, a step which will be transformative for our members as well as our message.
CHUM provides communal living environment at affordable rates, in a sustainable and environmentally-conscious way.
Yes
$450
$50, includes staples such as produce, grains, cereal, milk.
4-6 hours weekly for house maintenance/chores. About the same monthly for committee obligations, whose responsibilities change depending on the committee.
2-5 times per week