The Changing Face of “Home”: Home-sharing and Co-Living in America
Home-sharing, also called co-living, is becoming a bigger part of the housing conversation in the United States. With home prices rising and affordability slipping further away for many, people are finding new ways to make housing work. This is not the old version of roommates crowding into small apartments. Co-living is designed to balance privacy and community. Residents often have private bedrooms or even full suites while still sharing kitchens, living areas, or outdoor space. Some builders are even designing new homes with these layouts in mind.
A major force behind this trend is the rise in multigenerational households. Pew Research Center reports that the number of Americans living with more than one adult generation has quadrupled since the 1970s, growing from about 7 percent of the population to nearly 18 percent by 2021. Generations United notes that households with three or more generations have surged by over 270 percent in the last decade, now representing more than 66 million adults.
Families turn to multigenerational living for many reasons. Aging parents move in with adult children both to receive care and to help with grandchildren. Families pool incomes to buy larger homes, making housing more attainable. Some adult children delay moving out to save money or simply continue living in the family home. These setups not only stretch budgets but also bring emotional benefits, offering support, security, and closer family ties. When homes are designed with separate spaces or thoughtful boundaries, these arrangements can be both practical and rewarding.
The idea has also grown beyond family ties. In high-cost cities, intentional co-living spaces are gaining popularity. Young professionals and others choose to live together not just to save money but to enjoy built-in community. Many of these properties are managed by companies that provide furnishings and establish guidelines, making the experience structured and convenient. While co-living feels modern, the concept has roots in the 1970s, when home-sharing was promoted as a way to reduce isolation and housing costs for older Americans.
Sustainability adds another layer of appeal. Sharing utilities and resources lowers per-person consumption, which resonates with younger generations who value eco-conscious living. At the same time, it reduces overall costs, making it a win-win for residents who want affordability without giving up quality of life.
Still, not every community welcomes the trend. In Shawnee, Kansas, a 2022 ordinance banned households of four or more unrelated adults, citing concerns about investors buying up homes for co-living. The law still allows up to three unrelated tenants and does not affect multigenerational families, but it highlights how quickly local governments are grappling with these shifts. In 2023, a court upheld the ordinance, showing that regulation remains a challenge for this type of housing.
Despite pushback, the momentum is clear. Housing in America has always evolved with the times, from post-war suburbs to modern urban condos. Today, affordability challenges, caregiving responsibilities, cultural diversity, and lifestyle preferences are reshaping how people define home. Home-sharing and co-living are not just passing fads but growing solutions to real economic and social needs.
The bottom line: Home-sharing and co-living are practical answers to today’s housing challenges. They combine affordability with connection and are changing the way Americans think about home. If you need help navigating real estate financing, whether you are looking to purchase, explore trust deed investing, or want guidance on your next home move, we are here and ready to help. Pacific Direct Mortgage is a Santa Rosa, California Private Money direct lender offering hard money loans for single family, multi family, and investment real estate throughout California and Sonoma County.
Husband & Wife Team Phone: 707‑708‑0797 / Office: 1400 N. Dutton Ave #22 Santa Rosa, CA 95401 Ken: CA DRE Broker #01858042 / NMLS #1221130 Ari: CA DRE #01858152 / NMLS #2170867 Ken & Ari are a husband & wife team with combined 3+ decades in real estate and private money industries. They own Pacific Direct Mortgage & Real Estate, specializing in Private Money loans (also known as Hard Money home loans). Having helped thousands of Borrowers & working directly with Brokers, Agents and Lenders to help when needed with fast, flexible, alternative financing for real estate purchases and refinances throughout California. No issues with DTI ratios, credit issues, property condition, difficult to prove income ‑ we want to help!
Comments