What it is not "the abandonment of the private household in favour of communal living".

The concept was born in Denmark out of a desire to create pedestrian oriented, community designed collaborative housing, with amenities for all residents of all ages, that satisfied the needs of changing lifestyles. Co-Housing communities are resident developed mutually benefical neighbourhoods, where individual households are clustered around a common house with shared facilities such as a dining room, an area for childcare, workshops, laundry, basically anything that can be shared within the community.

The idea of owning and sharing a space together: because people work together look after what is their own and contribute a way of doing something that is not always achievable opens up opportunities These developments are based on democratic principles, that espouse no ideology other than the desire for a more practical and social home environment.

http://www.springhillcohousing.com/  The first New Build cohousing scheme built in the UK.