Come live with us!

Who we are

We're a queer- and trans-affirming intentional community in Malden. We collectively manage two houses on the same block, which are intended to become the founding properties of MALT. We choose to live with others who value and prioritize community living, group projects, and political activism.

Who we're looking for

We would love to meet potential anchor members who can help us incorporate as a Community Land Trust and responsibly steward our land and buildings. You may be a good fit if a few of these apply:

• Previously lived in a co-op or intentional community
• Plan to stay for multiple years, or already have ties to the area
• Skilled in home improvement, accounting, or project management
• Experienced with corporate or non-profit governance (minutes, documentation, budgets)
• Organizer of social events (dinner parties, dance/show host, conference organizer/MC)

Community expectations

Everyone living here is expected to maintain a minimum level of cleanliness that includes a tidy kitchen and refrigerator, doing your share of the dishes, keeping personal belongings and messes out of common areas, cleaning up after your pets, and so on.

Residents and their guests are also expected to follow community agreements such as pets, substance use (including drinking/smoking/vaping), cleanliness, and COVID safety. Additionally, all residents and their guests are expected to follow our public Code of Conduct.

We aim to offer affordable rent for the area, but members are expected to pay both rent and shared expenses in a timely manner, and to communicate promptly if they have any concerns about expenses or their ability to pay.

Active participation

As a community we intend to see each other often in person, and to have many guests at events like movie screenings, poetry readings, and live music. Community members are not expected to attend every event, but they are an important part of our social life. You may not be a good fit if you will be frequently away from home, plan to keep to your own room, or feel uncomfortable having visitors in common areas.

Community members are expected to spend at least some time every day, and up to several hours per week, on coordination tasks including:

• participating in meal planning and grocery shopping
• helping cook and clean up after our house and community dinners
• attending in-person House Meetings and Community Meetings
• weighing in on major decisions like new members or budgeting
• timely responses to discussions in Signal and our community Discord server
• using organizing tools like Google Calendar, spreadsheets, and chore charts
• planning and attending social events like parties, game nights, potlucks

Application Process

The first step to applying is to join our mailing list. This is how to hear about housing openings and guest opportunities. You'll also hear about public events, which are a great way check out the lifestyle here.

When applications open, you will be asked to fill out an application form. We will review your answers as a group, which typically takes about a week. If we think you could be a good fit, you'll have an interview with two or more housemates: preferably in-person, but we can accommodate video too.

We may ask for further interviews, references from prior housemates, a rental application, a co-signer, and/or confirmation of finances. As part of our commitment to keeping housing affordable and equitable, we do not require background checks, security deposits, or first/last month's rent. Leases are optional but can be discussed if desired.