Living together, but not together - older women

Looks like a cross between modern boarding house (rooms would be bigger than 16m²) and the SEPP5 concept (over 55's housing, strata'ed but much smaller ie single bedroom & some shared facilities).

It would have legs but I feel limited appeal for purchase. Players in that market would appear to be church-owned retirement units which are rentals or seniors living developments.

 

Affordable housing strategy seems really promising.

I wonder if it's possible to find 5 blokes to live together without squabbling?

Maybe let the girls show how it's done, and we can learn from them.

I wouldn't think this is very commercial, but as a social enterprise/ charity looks very promising.

 

Unfortunately, my experience has been that this sort of set up doesn't work very well in practice. Imagine all the normal issues of strata complexes and getting everyone to make decisions together - and then multiply that a few more times when people are practically living on top of each other.

I've acted for clients multiple times in this sort of shared housing arrangements (including co-ops), and its just a hotbed of issues.

I'm got a current matter now and it involves 9 older women who have split into factions and basically the place can barely function. There's restraining orders involved too.

 

While good in theory, I don't think it would really work that well in practice. Not unless each unit is Strata-d, so that those involved can sell their interests if they wish.

It reminds me of some old housing commission studios that I've seen around. They are usually found in a line of 5 or 6, and are usually rented to older people.

 

With my work I go through a tonne of properties and I've seen elderly women house sharing twice, I think. It's been limited to 2 x women only, and in both cases the titled remained in one name, while the second was renting..

I don't see the benefit of multiple people having to have an equity share in the property? Is investing in their golden years important? It just seems to create problems by having multiple people on a title.. 5 x people seems crazy to me, while 9 x people in the example above is just insanity.

I think house sharing is a great idea, but limit it to renting only.. you get the companionship and flexibility of moving if things turn sour.

 

I wouldn't think it would be practical as people are getting old, may need care, moving to a nursing home or they may die. How would you set that up?

I think if someone owned a home having a boarder would be more practical. Or share renting.

When I was younger I volunteered for Meals on Wheels in Gladesville, Sydney. It was so sad. Old people living in huge old houses by themselves. Often the houses needed repair and the owners were often lonely and isolated.

 

Yes, I saw an article on that too. Fabulous idea.
I met a lady the other day that takes overseas students. Bit different, she gets paid. But a great idea.

 

I knew a lady that did that as well. She made quite good money out of it as she always had several at the same time.

 

Homelessness among older women is a growing problem.

This initiative isn’t about investing it’s about having a stable affordable place to live.

 

Hubby’s nanna and her sister did something similar back in the 1970s.

Both widowed, they wanted to build a duplex but zoning disallowed this. They build a single house, centre “Core” was the kitchen, bathroom and laundry. At each end there were individual living room, bedroom and enclosed verandah.

Worked well. Hubby’s nanna died first, and as per the family agreement her sister lived there until she died, when the house was sold and proceeds split.

 

Makes a lot of sense for 2 ppl collaborating.

I think when the numbers get more the arrangements could be more difficult.

My observation of older ppl ( including myself) is we are somewhat set in ways.

I can imagine getting annoyed with others for things not property related. What if my tribe had a mix of views about vaccinations? And we all shared air?

 

Older men living with younger women would be a goer I reckon lol

 

If the host is doing a good job, then good on them. However, one of my mentees many years ago was living in the front porch sun room with louvre windows. In winter Melbourne, it was almost like living on the street. But the boy needed a guardian and that was the arrangement. Not a very decent host I would have thought. And he rarely had a hot meal.

 

@Lacrim



Where do I sign?

 

Isn't that more a case of the elderly pensioner bringing in the young thing from one of our northern countries - is rather a win/win - someone to care for the old age and the carer gets money to send home

Can't say I find it appealing, but each to their own

 

Wow! That's terrible.

The ones that I knew, it was high school age children. They had to provide a room, or shared room and three meals a day. You were supposed to look after them as if they were their own kids, however I did notice that on family outings the students were always at home studying. Not saying they weren't welcome to come, as I wasn't privy to that information.