While single-family homeownership retains its widespread appeal, an increasing number of alternative housing options are emerging to meet different economic, environmental and social needs.
As a matter of fact, the housing crisis, the high cost of living curbing home purchases, or even telework’s growing prevalence are all changing how we live together.
Coliving
This generally involves renovating an existing property (a large home or spacious city condo) to convert it into a rooming house with common areas as well as private bedrooms. Roommates therefore share living spaces (living room, kitchen) in addition to having their own room. People only typically stay for a short period of time, however, as residents are mostly entrepreneurs or digital nomads who particularly enjoy this form of communal living as it provides opportunities to socialize. Coliving residences are mainly found in major cities, near attractions and services.
Example: Nomad coliving Montréal, a coliving space catering to freelancers and creatives.
Eco-housing
Eco-housing developments are, in fact, neighbourhoods made up of homes and condos built according to green construction standards and designed to minimize residents’ environmental footprint. Residents share resources, like vegetable gardens, electric vehicles and common spaces to achieve a more eco-friendly lifestyle. This is a new model here, and several projects are under development across Québec. They seek to attract buyers or tenants who enjoy spending time in nature and doing their part for the planet.
Example: Le quartier d’Estimauville à Québec will feature green housing and resource sharing between residents.
Website: Écoquartier d’Estimauville
Cohousing for Single Parents
It can be difficult for a parent to get back on their feet following a separation, particularly financially. Moreover, buying a property alone is generally an uphill battle. More and more single-parent families are choosing to purchase property as a group to become homeowners.
In this regard, community housing options especially designed for single-parent families are available offering parents the possibility of sharing expenses as well as childcare. Additionally, this coliving model helps these families build vitally important social support networks.
Example: The Avenir de femmes de Laval project provides 23 homes for low-income single mothers.
Housing Cooperatives
Residents in a housing co-op are all equal owners; however, this model differs significantly from traditional co-ownership. Firstly, it provides affordable housing as unit prices don’t normally follow the regular market. Units therefore remain accessible. Secondly, the co-op coliving model is based not only on sharing responsibilities and resources, but also on building a strong sense of community between neighbours. Few such housing co-ops exist in Québec. And yet, we could see this form of shared living rise in prevalence to meet the population’s needs.
Example: La Fédération des coopératives d’Habitation en Estrie manages various cooperatives in the region with units for sale or rent.
Shared Single-Family Homes
More and more homeowners are supplementing their income by renting out unused rooms in their homes. It’s an emerging coliving option that may become quite common in the future.
- Room rental: This is usually for a single person, like a professional carrying out a contract nearby or a seasonal worker, who wants to sign a one-year lease (or for only a few months).
- Student housing: Did you know you can sign a short-term lease with a tenant over a period corresponding to a semester? This means you can still earn extra cash without having to share your home year-round.
- Office space: People working in massage therapy or accounting, for example, are sometimes on the look out for a workspace in a specific neighbourhood. Renting out a room to such as professional, in the basement or on another floor, can be to the homeowner’s advantage.
Tiny Home Neighbourhoods
Tiny homes have been attracting buyers from all walks of life for several years now. They’re not only eco-friendly but also affordable, namely, because they require few building materials and consume little energy in winter. There are now exclusively tiny home neighbourhoods where residents frequently share amenities (laundry room, relaxation areas) all while having their own private space.
Example: Domaine Nature sur le lac in Ste-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson is a green development project that allows residents to live in a tiny home while sharing living spaces.
Website: Domaine nature sur le lac
Multigenerational Homes
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the multigenerational home, a niche in the real estate market that has been growing in Québec over the past twenty years and which shows every sign of continuing to rise in popularity. This is a home in which several generations live under the same roof, usually adult children with their aging parents. The aim is to share resources, split chores and break seniors’ social isolation, all while making housing more affordable for everybody.
By the way, if this type of cohabitation model appeals to you, read our latest article on the subject.
These coliving models clearly demonstrate that the real estate market evolves in line with the population’s changing needs.
