Thank you for your interest in joining our community. Applications are accepted during times when we have an upcoming vacancy and are actively pursuing a member search. We require an application which can either be returned to us by mail or at an Open House. Most of the information on the application packet is contained on this page.About the process and income limitsSelection CriteriaInterview QuestionsApplicationWhat's involved in the application and interview process? 1. Request or download an application packet. In this packet, you will find our Selection Criteria, a list of potential interview Questions, and Application for Membership. If you are viewing on line you can print out this page for the selection process and download to the application. The purpose of the interview is to get to know you and to determine whether your household meets the selection criteria. During the interview, we will ask the attached written questions as well as any questions which clarify your completed application. The interview also provides you with the opportunity to ask us any questions that are important to you. If, after the interview, we are seriously considering asking you to join our community, you will be asked for: 1) proof of recent or current income and 2) a $15 nonrefundable credit-check fee (per adult). Rent and Buy-In: The base cost to purchase a share in Fairview House is around $500. Some units have had additional owner-improvements which may raise the share cost. This fee is also used as a security deposit. If you move out and your account with Fairview House is clear, your share amount plus interest will be returned to you. Currently the carrying charge is $277 per bedroom per month. Food and utilities together are $227 per person per month. Small children (as defined by the House) live for free. If you have any questions regarding Fairview House, this vacancy, or if you need help in filling out the application, please call (510) 658-3899 The legal income stuff: In order to keep the cost of living permanently affordable we entered into a relationship with the Northern California Land Trust that sets income limits on new members. To initially purchase a share in Fairview House, your income must be 60% or less of median for the Oakland Metropolitan area based on your household size. This figure changes yearly but is expected to be less than $28,500 for a single individual in 1999. Verification is provided by last yearŐs federal tax return, or other similar proof of past or future income. After receipt of the enclosed application, we will contact you and let you know whether you will be invited to interview for the vacancy. You will be invited if you: satisfy the income requirements, possess a household size compatible with the vacancy, and have positive personal references. . The Fairview House Collective selects people to join our community based on the following criteria. We fully acknowledge that human beings are not creatures of perfection, but we seek people who fulfill many/most of these criteria. Future Fairviewites: ˇ Are enthusiastic about living collectively with a diverse group of people. ˇ Have collective living experience and/or a strong desire to live collectively. ˇ Have the ability and willingness to commit time for and share equally in household activities: house meetings, chores, shared dinners, grocery shopping, maintenance/renovations/repair of the land and houses, AND Fun/Social time with housemates. ˇ Are dedicated to a socially and environmentally responsible lifestyle. ˇ Contribute to the diversity of our community. ˇ Are kid-friendly and supportive of all types of families. ˇ Are able to communicate openly and honestly on a one to one basis as well as within a group setting. ˇ Are capable to participate in and contribute to consensus decision making. ˇ Respect personal boundaries and those defined by the group as a whole. ˇ Are able to shift paradigms at a momentŐs notice! ˇ Have a high tolerance for ambiguity. ˇ Have an excitement and or talent for vegan cooking. ˇ Have an enthusiasm for good food, shared meals and a vegetarian lifestyle. ˇ Are able to make a commitment to the financial responsibilities of living at Fairview. ˇ Are willing and able to comply with house rules including no smoking indoors. ˇ Are truthful in their public and personal affairs. ˇ Have a commitment to nonviolence. ˇ Have the ability and willingness to remain free of substance-abusive behaviors ˇ Have an enthusiasm for life and a good sense of humor. ˇ Are personally compatible with current Fairview housemates. ˇ Have an intention to build and experience a growing, learning, supportive, challenging, and spiritually thoughtful community. ˇ Are willing and able to contribute to the long term sustainability of the Fairview House Collective recognizing that the decisions and actions made by current housemates may well affect the lives of people living here 5, 25, or 50 years from now. ˇ Are compatible with income requirements (outlined elsewhere) and have positive credit his/herstories and glowing (good) references. Questions for the in-person interview are taken from this list. This list is for your information only. We DONŐT expect you to make written answers to list! ` Did you have a chance to read the materials on Fairview House? Do you have any questions? ` Why did you decide to apply to Fairview House? Can you tell us what you think might be some advantages and disadvantages of being part of a collective living situation? What can Fairview House do for you? What can you do for Fairview House? ` What previous experience have you had living collectively, communally or with a group of people? Please describe. ` What other types of housing are you looking at now? Why are you moving right now? ` In what ways do you feel ready to be part of a collective that owns and is responsible for the home in which you live? ` Tell us about your worst(best) housing situation. What went wrong(right)? What are your pet peeves? ` How do you feel about having to deal with conflicts? With anger? How have you dealt with these things in the past? ` Do you have an interest in sharing playful, fun, recreational activities with your housemates? Describe a vision of this. ` How do you feel about sharing responsibility for the upkeep and for improvement the our houses? How do you feel about learning work skills and making repairs (like fixing your own toilet) as part of maintenance and renovation at Fairview House? ` Do you own tools or appliances that you would be willing to share with the house? ` What is your standard for cleanliness in common spaces? What sort of chores do you like/dislike? What chores are best at/worst at? ` What types of things do you like to cook? ` How do you feel about living in a vegetarian/vegan household and cooking exclusively vegan dinners (i.e. no dairy, no eggs)? ` How do you feel about communal dinners? ` What do you like to do for fun? What special interests or hobbies do you have? Do you have artistic skills, musical skills, theatrical skills, others? ` What organizations are you a member of that have special meaning to you? ` How do you feel about TV? ` What is your favorite book/film? What have you read/seen lately? ` Can you attend a house meeting every Monday evening except the first Monday of the month? ` What do you know about and what kind of experience do you have with recycling, composting and other environmentally sound practices? ` How long do you plan to live at Fairview House? ` Have you ever been part of a group where members make their own decisions such as a church or school group, union, political group, cooperative or other group? Tell us about your experience. ` How do you feel about living with children? About sharing in some way in child rearing activities? In making Fairview House a child-safe and child-friendly place? ` How do you feel about living in a mixed race household? ` How do you feel about Fairview HouseŐs policy of trying to maintain a diverse mix of people regarding race, age, gender, culture, etc.? ` What would be your way of dealing with an incident in the house or on the street that you thought might be motivated by racism, sexism, or another attitude related to privilege? ` What do you know about the Fairview neighborhood? What do you like about it? What do you dislike about it? What kind of behaviors from neighbors upset you or make you feel uncomfortable? ` What would you do if you lived here to participate in neighborhood activities? To help improve the neighborhood? ` Do you have any relationships with your current neighbors? Can you tell us about these? ` Do you have any experience in community work or organizing? ` Do you have any vision for Fairview House? Would you share this vision with us? ` What else would you like to tell us about yourself? |