Attempts will be made to select resident/owners for their enthusiasm for the project and for their ability to contribute to it. They might be drawn from three general populations: approximately 25% might be selected from among welfare clients and another 25% would be people that are underemployed. This 50% of the population would be eligible for government loans in the amounts needed to pay for their apartments and for their maintenance costs until they can earn enough in the cooperative's businesses to cover their expenses and begin to repay their loans in regular small installments. The remaining 50% of the population would have sufficient funds to cover their own costs. Resident expenses would probably be comparatively low because salaries would be modest, and profits above a specified amount would be reinvested in the community. For many residents, the experience of living in close relationship with this mixed socio-economic group might be very rewarding.

Housing units would consist of one or more relatively old buildings that would be renovated and operated by its resident/owners. Building trade unions would be asked to permit their members to supervise and help resident/owners do as much of the hands-on work of renovation as they can. Ideally, a large part of each resident's work life would be ongoingly committed to maintaining and improving their cooperative housing, much as private homeowners.

Services and facilities provided to all residents might include a health and dental center, childcare and supervised after school activities, a preschool program, individual and family counseling, and career training opportunities. Art and craft as well as music, exercise and recreational facilities can be developed if they are wanted. Loans for relevant training, conducted in-house, and start-up capital for retail and service businesses would be available to qualified resident/owners who want to establish cooperative businesses within the housing complex. All in-house enterprises would be encouraged to share staff and draw on each other's resources whenever possible.

Resident/owners would also be asked to participate, at least to some extent, in the necessary work of management and recordkeeping, cleaning and maintenance of the property and the grounds, and the purchase or production of items to sell in the residence's cooperative retail businesses. These businesses would offer a range of goods and services at very low cost to all project residents, and to the project itself. They would also be available to the local populations for a somewhat larger fee. These resident-operated businesses might include a restaurant, a beauty parlor, a barbershop, and retail food, clothing, and other shops.

Each co-op might maintain its own employment desk that helps residents offer such services as clerical work, house cleaning and home repairs, and all the building trades. This service would be maintained both for residents wanting to work in the community, and for those preferring a job outside of it. Training for specific in-house jobs or for the general market would also be available in cooperation with specifically interested outside employers.