The Common Ground is exploring the creation of a curated online course in community-focused housing and we’re feeling out interest…

Across Aotearoa, more people are stepping forward to lead housing projects that prioritise affordability, sustainability, connection, and care. But while there are many professional property development courses available, there is very little education designed for those who are:

• Leading community-focused housing initiatives

• Exploring co-housing, eco-villages, multigenerational living, or pāpakainga

• Converting or adapting existing buildings

• Working outside traditional speculative development models

• Wanting to be informed, capable leaders — not necessarily full-time developers

Why This Course?

Most existing courses are designed for professional developers operating in commercial environments. They are often priced accordingly and framed around profit-driven outcomes.

This course is different. It is designed for those seeking to:

• Lead housing that serves community need

• Build affordable and connected neighbourhoods

• Create innovative, “out-of-the-box” housing solutions

• Understand the system well enough to work within it — and creatively stretch it

What Is This Course?

This proposed programme would combine:

Core Property Development Fundamentals

• The end-to-end development process

• Feasibility and financial fundamentals

• Risk and stakeholder management

• Planning and consenting pathways

• Understanding development economics

• Working effectively with consultants, councils, funders, and builders

Community-Focused & Alternative Housing Modules (to be curated)

• Multigenerational living models

• Pāpakainga development

• Co-housing and eco-villages

• Small-scale intensification and granny flats

• Converting commercial property to residential or mixed use

• Regenerative and sustainable development approaches

• Collective ownership and community-led governance models

The aim is practical residential property development literacy, giving participants the knowledge and confidence to move from vision to viable project.

This is not an all-encompassing intentional community development course which would include more of the social architecture aspects.

How Would It Be Delivered?

• Online live sessions with opportunity for interaction

• Recordings available for participants

• Potentially delivered as a series of modules over several months

• Designed to be accessible and affordable

Who Is It For?

• People leading or wishing to lead community-focused housing initiatives

• Members of co-housing or collective housing groups

• Landowners exploring development options

• Community organisers

• Professionals pivoting toward values-led housing

• Anyone wanting to understand property development from a community perspective

When?

We are exploring delivery in the second half of 2026.

The format, structure, and final content will be shaped based on interest and feedback from potential participants and collaborators.