Toward a sense of community: Comprehensive community projects and community houses

Comprehensive Community Projects (CCPs) and their associated community houses represent use of the community psychology philosophy in an attempt to recreate an “old-fashioned” sense of community in the context of modern suburban communities. In this paper, the history of the CCP in New Zealand is traced, and key aspects of its organization are discussed. The CCP is related to principles and practice of community psychology, especially community control, developing a sense of community, and the role of community psychologists. Evaluation issues are raised, and results available so far are presented. In terms of overall community participation, the CCP appears to be a striking success.