I recently ran across what I thought was a fantastic piece of writing on the benefits of shared housing, a to-the-point blog post appearing on the webpage of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), a nonprofit based in Washington DC.

Now, to be clear, I certainly hope that readers of this blog post are not in such desperate circumstances as to be unhoused. Also, I don’t think that shared housing is *the* solution to ending the United States’ epidemic of homelessness, which is multi-faceted and will require long term efforts by both our healthcare and government systems to solve.

I do think, however, that shared housing is a commonsense solution to the increasing cost of rent, which the average income has not kept pace with. The rising costs of living are a stressor for millions of Americans, both wage earners and folks who rely on retirement savings and social security. Shared housing can also help to reduce the nation’s overall shortage of habitation. Indeed, for any person in need of a roof over their head, shared housing should be seen as a “beneficial” and a “go-to solution.”

I’m always glad to see other organizations promoting all the positive aspects of shared housing. I encourage readers to check out NAEH’s original article.  I also wanted to re-emphasize and expand here on its

Five Truths

1. Shared housing is NOT a lesser option

With America’s emphasis on freedom and independence, it’s assumed that any unmarried, childless person who can afford it should buy the biggest house or condominium possible and live in it all by themselves. Being able to afford a house or apartment of one’s own is seen as a sign of success.

We seem to have forgotten that living alone is actually quite unusual! An individual being the sole occupant of an apartment or house is a very modern phenomenon.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with living alone, either, but human beings need one another. Throughout history we have thrived by living in close-knit communities.

2. Shared Housing is flexible

It can mean two people sharing an apartment or five people sharing a house. It can mean a homeowner renting a spare room to a commuting worker, who spends four or five nights a week and goes home on their days off. Shared housing can be among family members and friends, or you can live with homemates who you seek out through a posted ad.

Homemates can be of a different demographic than you, or you can seek out like-minded, similarly aged or similarly inclined folks–for example, widowers, people who identify as LGBTQ, single men, or cat owners may wish to live together. Similar life experiences and/or being in the same stage of life make for an immediate bond between homemates and can be an important factor in creating a safe, relaxing home.

3. Shared housing is totally worth it financially

Again, the high cost of housing throughout the United States bears mentioning https://nlihc.org/oor. The more people that gather under one roof, the more that housing cost immediately lowers for each individual.

Less money paid on rent means more money for groceries, gas for your car, a new piece of clothing, a haircut, a ticket to a concert, a meal at a nice restaurant…(just to name a few of life’s necessities and enjoyments that cost money).

4. Shared Housing Can Maximize Quality of Life

Not only do people with good homemates feel more engaged and less lonely, they likely have lower food and utility costs from month-to-month.

Choosing to share a home or apartment can lower your rent enough that you are able to access housing in a city that common knowledge says is “unaffordable.”

I know that in my 20’s I was successful finding nice places and neighborhoods to live in–at a very affordable cost–in the heart of Washington DC, Portland Oregon and Los Angeles. I had the opportunity to live in those so-called “expensive” cities because I split the cost of housing with homemates.

5. Shared Housing Doesn’t Have to Be Forever

It certainly can be forever–some members of the shared housing community are looking for, or have found, “forever homemates,” a group of friends who buy a house together in order to age in place.

But, most shared housing arrangements do not last forever, and that is OK. Shared Housing can be something that you do for a few months or years, to get you through a major life transition or financial hardship.

That is just five truths about shared housing, but there are certainly many more. Can you think of any? Let us know in the comments!

Image Designed by Freepik