Is sharing the solution? Exploring the opportunities and challenges of privately rented shared accommodation for single people in housing need

Abstract

Reduced availability of, and access to, affordable accommodation coupled with housing benefit reductions, particularly for single people under the age of 35, make it inevitable that more people will require shared accommodation as a financially viable solution to their housing needs. However, there is a reluctance to enter into sharing, particularly with 'strangers', and many members of vulnerable groups face challenges such as living with others, gaining access to the private rented sector, and sustaining tenancies. In response to these challenges, the Sharing Solutions Programme, run by Crisis and funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), recently piloted, developed and promoted new models for establishing successful sharing arrangements for single people in housing need. This paper draws on findings from an evaluation of that programme, alongside the literature on shared accommodation, to identify a number of potential barriers to making shared accommodation work, and ways in which these may be overcome. A range of factors are identified as pivotal in the success of sharing in the private rented sector, including changing perceptions of sharing, managing shared properties and supporting tenants. While the paper concludes that sharing can be a viable option for some, it simultaneously recognises the significant resources required to make it successful for tenants.

A fine balance: A review of shared housing among young adults

“…Those in favour of flatting with friends cite fear of flatting with strangers, having an established comfortable intimacy precluding awkwardness, and risks associated with the unknown. Sharing with strangers can involve risk (Green & McCarthy, ). There are also risks with living with friends, with co‐habitation posing a potential threat to the friendship and difficulties negotiating ground rules.…”

Moving towards a Smarter Housing Market: The Example of Poland

“…In particular, apart from sharing a living space, co-living aims at building social bonds between tenants [47]. In the co-living model, features such as extensive communal facilities or the involvement of residents are important [48]. The architectural style of co-living buildings is also relevant, as it aims to support the community [49].…”

“…In conclusion, new housing models are responding to current socio-economic changes and are an indispensable element of a smart housing market. In addition to their advantages, however, it should also be noted that residents may experience some discomfort in both home sharing and co-living dwelling units, which may result from overcrowding, uncertainty, noise or potential conflicts with other residents [48,52].…”

A home of one’s own? Housing welfare for ‘young adults’ in times of austerity

“…Those in economically precarious positions frequently have much more negative experiences of sharing, often being forced into sharing through economic constraint. This results in people living with strangers in poor quality housing with insecure tenancies (Green and McCarthy, 2015; Rugg et al, 2011), which can have a deep effect on a person’s sense of home. In such ‘stranger shares’ leases are often short-term and insecure, with lower levels of safety and an increased likelihood of conflict between sharers.…”