Interested in becoming a resident member of VOLAR's Intentional Housing Community?
Here are some frequently asked questions

Co-Op Application FAQ

Welcome! This FAQ is designed to help prospective resident members/shareholders understand the requirements and process for joining our co-op.

To become a member, a qualified applicant becomes a co-owner of the Intentional Community House, by purchasing a part of the company that owns the building. The initial buy-in is expected to be $1500-2000. Each of the 7 members will receive a certificate in the company, and the right of occupancy in one of the 7 units. This is NOT a purchase of a physical unit.
This buy-in grants you ownership rights, shared decision-making, and access to co-op resources including the right to occupy one of the 7 units. Only members can be co-owners of the building, and only members can occupy units in the building.
Once a member, a monthly carrying cost (approximately $1000) is paid to the VOLAR Intentional Cooperative Community to support operating costs (utilities, maintenance, mortgage, emergencies, etc).

Applicants must:

Be committed to activism in their community or field.
Be actively working on self-healing, personal development: including self-awareness, goal-setting, or skill-building.
Be practicing some form of spirituality-awareness that we are interconnected with all forms of life-, whether through meditation, prayer, mindfulness, or another practice.
Be 18 years old or older
Lived 5-10 years in Baltimore city and have generational family in Baltimore city

Shareholders are expected to actively contribute to causes or initiatives that align with the co-op’s mission of social and economic justice, climate justice, decolonial living
Activism can include volunteering, organizing events, advocacy, or other actions that create positive impact that does not harm others.

Self-development includes ongoing efforts to improve personally, professionally, or spiritually.
Examples include attending workshops, reading, mentoring, therapy, coaching, or other practices that cultivate self-inquiry and growth.

Spirituality is broadly defined and open to interpretation.
Examples include meditation, prayer, mindfulness practices, energy work, or participation in spiritual communities.
The goal is to maintain alignment with personal growth and co-op values, to live with an attitude and practice of generosity and equity, solidarity and collectivity.

Yes. Resident/Members are expected to:
- Regularly meet to make decisions about operating and management of the Intentional Housing Community.
- Maintain active participation in co-op initiatives.
- Continue working on self-development (including continued trainings and workshops determined by cooperators/shareholders).
- Uphold the co-op’s shared values through activism, collectivity and shared leadership, and spiritual growth.

Submit the co-op application form with:
- Proof of ID
- A statement describing your activism, self-development, and spiritual practices
- Any additional materials requested by the co-op (resume, references, portfolio, etc.)
- Application form: link . Or copy this url and paste in your browser: https://propertiesco.tenantcloud.com/listings/183720

Applications are reviewed by the co-op board.
Applicants may be invited for an interview or discussion to assess alignment with co-op values.
Acceptance is based on fit with the community, commitment to activism and social justice, self-development, and spirituality.

Member/Resident agreements govern the sale or transfer of membership certificates and cannot be sold.
Terms are designed to maintain the integrity and values of the co-op.