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Heidi Berggren is a cohousing researcher, with an interest in cohousing as a potential source of broader social, economic, and ecological improvement and of civic renewal. She is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Women’s & Gender Studies at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, a CohoUS Board member, and the Assistant Director of the Cohousing Research Network (CRN). Data gathered by CRN have been the basis for Heidi’s and other scholars’ publications. Heidi has published articles on the relationship between cohousing and political engagement in a number of journals, including Housing and Society. She is currently leading a CRN 5-year longitudinal panel study of residents of cohousing communities and of building and forming communities throughout the United States, which seeks answers to a number of key questions. What are the social, economic, and political-engagement effects of living in cohousing on residents? What are the effects of cohousing on surrounding neighborhoods and localities, including local political arenas, and on the natural environment? What are the wider social and economic impacts of cohousing? What are the key drivers during the start-up or “forming” phase that lead to success in establishing cohousing communities? Are there exclusionary processes that weed out less socioeconomically and racially privileged people? In additional to furthering general knowledge about cohousing, the intent of this study is to provide analyses and data that are useful for cohousing professionals and building/forming communities, and that bolster the movement’s ability to persuade financial, political, legal, and other relevant actors on the merits of cohousing.