Sofia House's Philosophy

Sofia Co-op welcomes all who seek housing and a different way to co-exist with others within the inequitable system in which we live. The house’s name is derived from the Greek word meaning wisdom. The house’s hope is to foster each member’s individual development as part of a bigger whole. Every member has the opportunity to learn from others’ worldviews and lived experiences, and to contribute their own to our space. We educate ourselves and engage in small every day acts so that we may each be better advocates, allies, and co-conspirators in support of larger change. 

Living in a cooperative under intersecting oppressive systems can be messy. It involves finding a balance between acknowledging each other’s individual struggles while also maintaining fairness within the larger collective. Sofians need to be creative, understanding, and flexible. We maintain a living arrangement that challenges the mainstream housing system and supports an ethos of interdependence and care. We wish for each member to carry their unique wisdom forward after their time at Sofia.

Sofia House's Mission 

1. To provide a not-for-profit alternative to paying private landlords, with the long-term goal of expanding the cooperative movement and undermining the lucrative for-profit housing system:

• We share ideas and form bonds with other cooperatives.

• We seek and spread education about cooperative living and other forms of cooperative organizing.

• We contribute to efforts to open further cooperatives in our community and beyond, when possible.

2. To provide a supportive and safe housing environment for our members, especially marginalized people:

• Whenever possible, we approach issues assuming we are all on the same “team” and are coming together to solve a challenge, as opposed to unconsciously or consciously endorsing the narrative of the “good housemates” versus the “bad housemate(s).”

• We take steps to educate ourselves on multicultural and social justice issues in our society; we take steps to call each other in, and to challenge each other to grow if we witness behaviors that contribute to the marginalization of our members.

• We expect each other to engage in the work of questioning internalized biases which can lead to inconsistent enforcement of rules and expectations in the home, among other issues.

3. To support organizations, projects, and people in Madison fighting for justice and positive social change.

4. To maintain a clean and cozy space for our members of all ages and backgrounds:

• All members do their fair share in the house’s work so we can thrive as a collective. 

• We aim to membership people who are willing to contribute consistently to the democratic running of Sofia.

5. To reduce the alienation and isolation felt in our capitalist system. Many people in our world struggle to find meaning and to feel connection to themselves and others. 

• Contributing to the cooperative provides each member the opportunity to feel part of something greater and to have a corrective healing experience. 

• We endeavor to offer each other respect, encouragement, care, and appreciation when we can.