Haymarket House
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Haymarket House is a cooperative household in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. Haymarket is the smallest and oldest of the three Qumbya co-ops. All three co-ops are members of the North American Students of Cooperation.
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[edit] History
Originally built as a farm house, the building was purchased in 1992 by a group of student activists, who converted it to a co-op. Named in honor of the 1886 Haymarket Riot, the house was seen as both an intentional community and a locus of political activism. In the late 1990's, residents of Haymarket founded the Qumbya cooperative, of which Haymarket was the first house. Qumbya, which serves the property owner, now includes two other houses.
[edit] Demographics
While Haymarket welcomes residents of all ages and walks of life, it typically houses younger people, many of whom are students, artists, musicians, or activists. The total number of occupants at time of writing is 14. Roughly half of all members are associated with the University of Chicago, whose main campus is located less than a mile away.
[edit] Governance
While nominally consensus-based, the house is in fact more of a benevolent direct democracy. House rules, personal concerns, spending decisions, and social events are discussed at weekly meetings. Important issues, such as acceptance of new members, are subjected to a vote in which any resident may block. This voting system helps ensure that no excessively controversial or divisive measures are passed.
[edit] Finances
In addition to the rent that everyone pays to Qumbya for their rooms, residents also pay $175 each month for food, utilities, and maintenance. Two treasurers maintain the house accounts.
[edit] Chores
Each resident has a chore, which they must perform at least once per week. Chores include cleaning, organizing the common spaces, buying food, and sundry other inglorious tasks that do not bear record on an encyclopedia.
[edit] Food
The house is on a rotating cook cycle in which each resident must cook dinner roughly twice a month (depending on the number of residents). Haymarket is officially vegetarian. This means that no house money may be used to purchase meat, although individuals may keep their own meat in the house refigerators. Also, meals intended for house consumption are required to include a vegan option. Most food served is both nutritious and agreeable.
