Additional information regarding the workshops:

During these brunches/workshops we will be investigating how one can optimize such a living environment. Many women do not feel that their particular needs and wishes are realized in the presently available housing projects for rent or purchase. They would therefore ideally like to create their own living environment. However they do not have the know how to do so. They don't know what is legally permitted within the 'construction rules'. In Holland anyone above 18 years of age can marry anyone they want, but one is not allowed to choose the 'living' environment of their dreams; local government and housing associations make the choice as to with whom you share a living environment. In addition the leasor or buyer is always the last and anonymous link in the building chain. The motto of the real estate agents and housing associations is this is 'for you 1000 others'.
During the brunches/workshops various speakers will be sharing their knowledge with us on how women themselves, or with help from third parties, can develop and management a living project themselves.

During 1998 we will be organizing a series of six brunches. Each brunch will focus on a different aspect of the process of realizing your own living environment. In this way we can cover not only the practical, idealistic and technical aspects of such a project, but also the financial and judicial 'hang ups'. There will be a write up over each brunch so that by the end of the year we have formed a picture of what we need to do to realize our own living environment. In addition these brunches will form the theoretical foundation for concrete realization of the living environment 'Vrouwen Nu-voor-Later'. This project will consist of apartments as well as a variety of other facilities for approximately 80 lesbian women ages 50 and above. The idea of creating your own work-living environment is not new, but certainly very special. It is a whole new form of emancipation.

21 June: Housing Association, 'Gelderland".
The Housing Association, 'Gelderland' was an initiative by 'squatters' in both small and large houses in the Arnhem/Nijmegen area. Their goal was to reduce costs for the management and purchase of houses. This is a regular housing association however whose members ('leasors') have complete say in the management and ownership of the housing projects owned by the association.
The residents carry out a some of the maintenance work themselves which helps to keep rent down. How can one start one's own housing association, using your own house, etc.