MCS - Safe Housing Proposed

For several years, Recreation Health & Wholeness, a nonprofit organization, has been working on the housing needs of people with CFS and Fibromyalgia (FM). Toward what they’ve dubbed the PWC Cohousing Project, they have acquired sites in Gloucester, Massachusetts (which is currently being run as a retreat and guesthouse) and in Windsor, South Carolina.

For economic reasons, the first phase of Recreation Health & Wholeness’ PWC Cohousing project cannot accommodate people with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). However, after being inundated with inquiries from the MCS community, the organization has decided to offer one of the South Carolina sites for sale to those who might be interested in forming a group to build an MCS-compatible community. This 27-acre piece of land is adjacent to the Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve (http://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/heritage/aikengopher/description.html), and was acquired after extensive research into both setting and economics.

In establishing the PWC Cohousing project, Recreation Health & Wholeness has researched low interest financing for qualified low income homebuyers, options for group organization and funding sources for community development. They are also willing to bring their design, planning and development experience to the table to help the MCS community. Says founder Judy Warrington, “We would be in a position to act as consultants in this capacity for a similar MCS project.” Warrington also envisions ways a functioning CFS/FM community and an MCS community could work together.

Among those who’ve contacted Recreation Health & Wholeness inquiring about MCS housing are people who have backgrounds in grant writing, fundraising, marketing, communications, bookkeeping, management, design and floor-planning. Says Warrington , “Combining those skills would make the development, building and administration of an MCS housing project easier and more cost effective. We’ve also heard from nutritionists, organic gardeners, physical therapists, yoga instructors and pilates instructors who can help keep the community as healthy as possible.”

Those interested in purchasing land or starting a group to create an MCS-safe housing project should contact Recreation Health and Wholeness. Warrington asks interested parties to email recreation@adelphia.net and include a telephone number so discussions can begin.