Apply to our residential community
The Fireplace is seeking new members for its residential community! Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis.
Who we are
The Fireplace brings together progressive Catholics and spiritual seekers for creativity, intentional community, and cooperative housing.
We are located in a large house on the south side of Chicago (Kenwood/Hyde Park). We are women-centered, LGBTQ+ affirming, and intergenerational. Couples and people of all genders are invited to apply for residency.
The Fireplace has roots in inclusive Catholicism but we are not Catholic-only. As long as you are comfortable in a space that has this as part of its identity, the Fireplace can be a space for you to pursue and express your own spiritual or religious practice.
All residents work or study outside the house (the Fireplace is not our “full-time job”). Long-term/Voting Residents commit to about 10 hours per week of house activity, ranging from twice-weekly dinners/prayers to house administration. Associate Residents live at the Fireplace and participate in community life, but take on fewer commitments (see Resident commitments section below). We also foster and support an “extended community” of non-residents, which in turn supports the residential community.
The Fireplace Community was founded in 2021 and incorporated as an independent organization in May 2024. As we build out our operations, we are especially but not exclusively seeking residents with interest in co-ops, intentional community, faith leadership, or nonprofit boards.
Application process
Learn about us and review our community expectations (below).
Send an informal introduction expressing your interest to thefireplacecommunity@gmail.com. If possible, arrange to visit for a dinner, house tour, and/or short-term stay.
Submit an application to thefireplacecommunity@gmail.com.
Submit a letter of recommendation from someone who has lived with you before. Your recommender may send their letter directly to thefireplacecommunity@gmail.com.
Complete an interview with current residents.
At a board meeting, the residents vote on your application.
If you are accepted and choose to move into the Fireplace, you will:
Sign a sublease
Sign a residence agreement
Demonstrate proof of renter’s insurance
Pay a security deposit (half of the first month’s rent)
Expectations
Facilities overview
Each resident subleases a private room in a three-story, eight-bedroom home that the Fireplace Community rents. Most bedrooms are fairly large. Some have private or semi-private attached bathrooms, but most residents share bathrooms. Most bedrooms come with simple furnishings, but residents can choose to bring their own furniture.
Residents share communal spaces, including a living room, kitchen, dining room, office, library/art room, chapel, laundry room, shed, backyard, patio, storage, driveway, and porches. Residents may also use guest rooms to host visitors.
Per our lease, pets are not allowed. One current resident owns an emotional support animal (a cat), who has access to most of the house.
All entrances and bedrooms are accessible only by stairs.
Large room (#106)
Rent, food, and utilities
The total cost to an individual living at the Fireplace averages $1150 per month. This total cost includes rent, utilities, and food/supplies:
Rent: Determined by the size and amenities of each room.
Utilities: Standard household utilities, including landline and internet, plus compost pickup.
Food and supplies: Includes groceries and household supplies (such as described at the bottom of this document). Grocery shopping is a house chore. Residents request items by adding them to a shopping list.
Art by Olivia Porrill
Resident commitments
The Fireplace Community welcomes two types of residents, each with different responsibilities and commitments.
Long-term/Voting Residents
These Fireplace residents average 10 hours/week in community-related commitments. This total includes weekly house meetings/monthly board meetings, community meals, and chores. Long-term/Voting Residents:
Share commitment to the Fireplace’s mission and values
Attend weekly house meetings
Are the Fireplace Community Board of Directors* (once a month, our weekly house meeting is a board meeting)
Attend community retreats (2 weekends/year)
Attend twice-weekly community dinner and prayer - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-7:30 pm
Commit to community conflict resolution processes
Commit to a share of house labor
Use established communication channels to keep in touch with fellow residents (Slack, Google calendar, paper calendar, etc.)
Typically live at the Fireplace Community for at least a year
*The Fireplace Community is a cooperatively-governed intentional community. This means that we do not have an external governing body; the long-term residents are the Board of Directors and participate in monthly board meetings. We are a not-for-profit corporation in the state of Illinois.
Associate Residents
Associate Residents share community life at the Fireplace. This may be a good fit for someone who wants to sublet a room for the course of an internship or an academic term. Associate Residents’ commitments are more flexible depending on individual needs. They:
Share commitment to the Fireplace’s mission and values
Commit to community conflict resolution processes
Commit to a share of house labor
Use established communication channels to keep in touch with fellow residents (Slack, Google calendar, paper calendar, etc.)
Attendance at weekly house meeting may be decided based on the needs and capacity of the resident and the Community
Attend some community gatherings like Tuesday/Thursday dinners
Typically live at the Fireplace shorter-term
May apply to become Long-term/Voting Residents