Why Multigenerational Housing?
Housing for an evolving world...from the working class to the wealthy
Welcome to this week’s edition of The LineUp where we speak to real estate developers, those aspiring to be developers and entrepreneurs in the built environment. Join us by giving us a follow and give us a share or like if you enjoy what you read here.
When I think of housing development typically I think of either market rate (“luxury”) or Affordable with a capital A. Some would argue neither of these housing types have solved the housing “crisis.”
As we face higher and higher housing costs across our country it is important to look at novel approaches to design and development to help address this nationwide problem.
According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 51 million or ~17% of Americans live in a house with at least two adult generations. That’s a lot of people living with their parents, children, and grandchildren in our cities.
Many new immigrants from Asia and Central America traditionally live with multiple generations. These immigrants have brought their traditional styles of living to the US as they look to save money on living expenses and stay together to support each other in a variety of ways.
In addition to immigrants, often Baby Boomers support a parent and sometimes even have children living at home. Thus, they are called the “Sandwich Generation.” Many times, these Boomers need a solution to minimize friction in places like the kitchen, bathroom, and main living spaces.
To better understand these challenges this week we begin our research with a working class housing model.
Working Class Housing Multigenerational Model
While scrolling X looking at all that #RETwit has to offer I came across Scott Choppin and his multigenerational housing model. Scott has been working on this topic for more than a decade. He was kind enough to join me for a conversation where we discussed what he has learned and he shared some insights.
In our discussion Scott emphasized his multigenerational, workforce housing model requires the following characteristics to be successful:
Acquire land and build in working-class neighborhoods. This lowers your land-basis.
Build townhomes with 5 bedrooms. This allows for more people to live in the units, and if one bedroom isn’t used, it can be used for storage or an office space.
Minimize the footprint. This helps optimize the design and keep costs low.
Build two car garages for the homes.
Include 1st-floor “master” bedrooms for older generations with an ensuite bathroom. This minimizes the number of older people living with their younger family who have to go up and down the stairs.
Market the newly constructed townhomes directly in the neighborhood to the neighbors. These homes are designed and intended for people already in the neighborhood who want a nicer place to live.
Other interesting multigenerational models you should consider include:
NextGen by Lennar Homes - includes lock-off suites that are a home within a home for older parents or the younger generation “boomerang kids” still living with parents.
Compound-Like Estates - The New Home Company, in collaboration with Robert Hidey Architects, developed Irvine, CA’s Lambert Ranch. This community includes large single-family homes, including 800-square-foot detached guest houses with “living suites.” These are compound-like estates with separate entrances and shared courtyards.
Carehaus - Baltimore, MD - is a co-housing concept where the disabled and elderly adults live with their caregivers in independent suites around shared common spaces. The development has 21 units, 17 for elderly and disabled and 4 units for caregivers and their families. This allows for a better relationships and facilitates better access to improved living facilities for the caregivers. The first Carehaus is now approved and .
A House for 4 Generations - Tomomi Kito Architect designed a custom home for a grandmother, parents, their children and their child’s child. The design is elegant, maybe there is an angle for development?
Multigenerational House - Gautschi Lenzen Schenket Architects - Look at the plan. It creates spaces that can be opened and closed easily to allow for sharing and privacy. I’m not crazy about the super minimal design as it isn’t family friendly…but it is Switzerland, so you know.
Siheyuan - Traditional Chinese Multigenerational Courtyard Houses - Traditional courtyard houses that were famously associated with Beijing and Shanxi. These homes were designed for multiple generations around a shared courtyard and amenities. Many of these homes have been destroyed due to redevelopment of the Chinese capital.
I will continue to explore these multigenerational housing concepts as I think they are going to only become more and more popular as housing costs rise and our population in the US ages.
Thanks for reading, share your thoughts in the comments below! Cheers, John
In our podcast, Breaking New Ground Rachel Walters and I discuss real estate entrepreneurship and the indirect path Darren Wilson took to managing family office investments and real estate investments funds. Check it out at the link below.
Links we are reading:
AARP Article - Introducing a New Kind of Intergenerational Care
Breaking New Ground - Darren Wilson a novel real estate entrepreneurship story
The NBA playoffs continues with the Celtics looking good, but with Porzingis out they are being strongly challenged by the Cavs. The Celtics took a 3-1 lead in the series with a win Monday night.
The Thunder have tied the series with the Cavs up at 2-2 with a late game surge on Monday.
Both the Pacers and Knicks and the Timberwolves and Nuggets series are tied 2-2. There is some fantastic basketball being played.
Oh and you can’t forget about the Draft Lottery held on Sunday. A huge surprise, the Atlanta Hawks with just a 3% chance won the lottery and will get the number 1 pick this year. The Wizards, Rockets, and Spurs will get the second, third, and fourth place picks respectively. This is very exciting news for the Hawks and I’m curious to see who the Spurs get to compliment Wembanyama.
This is such a great idea!
It's funny as I think this is how humans used to live for much of ancient history in multi-generational households? that was normal.
Funny how things come full circle.
I was wondering, do you think this is more likely to take off in different cultures more? for example in the west are certain countries more open to this, such as southern europe? and are southern hemisphere countries more likely to adopt this due to cultural values?
Curious as to your thoughts on this..