Greenbelt Homes Incorporated (GHI)
GHI is the cooperative formed by Greenbelt residents in 1952 when the Federal Government decided to sell Greenbelt. GHI operates 1600 of the original homes, including the defense frame houses. GHI’s mission statement is:
To celebrate and respect the historical legacy and ideals of the original Greenbelt plan.
To maintain, protect and enhance the assets of the cooperative including the buildings, architectural design, open space plan (woods, walkways, playgrounds), while preserving the affordability and financial stability of the cooperative.
To promote member diversity, member and community involvement, and education regarding our rights and responsibilities as homeowners and co-op members.
We are the keepers of our property, and we have the right to expect that all of us will act responsibly to protect and care for that which each own and treasure together.
GHI, unlike many cooperatives, does allow its members to sell equity in their homes, but that is the only portion of the home that any specific member can own. Rather, each member owns a share in the entire cooperative, reinforcing the Greenbelt ideals of participation and unity. GHI is operated by a nine-member Board of Directors that makes decisions concerning funding and rules for the cooperative. It is the Board of Directors that is charged with maintaining the spirit of the original community. Members are issued a handbook with rules on everything from acceptable paint colors to proper refrigerator maintenance. When a member wants to modify one of the original homes, they must follow certain rules and regulations, a process that is monitored by GHI engineers. Any exceptions to the rules can be appealed to the Board of Directors for review.
GHI has the unique and vital function of keeping a community tied to the past; they make sure the original homes are maintained and the architectural style is not compromised. While much has changed in Greenbelt over the decades, most of the original homes remain almost exactly the same, which is a testament to the timelessness of the original Greenbelt design.
