According to the U.S Census Bureau, a multigenerational home is a household that consists of two or more adult generations living under the same roof. Although common throughout modern history and into the early 1950s, the U.S. began to see a decline in multigenerational living as the 1960s approached, a trend that continued into the ‘90s. In recent years, however, we’ve seen record numbers of cohabitation among family members of different generations.

Because family members may share living in a house together, doesn’t make it a multigenerational residence, and most are single-family residences (SFR) with multiple bedrooms, or an adult dwelling unit (ADU) in the backyard, or added “granny flat”. What makes Ghaus a true multigenerational residence is the design (indoor/outdoor), gen family modular system options (size/configuration flexibility), layout (shared communal and separate private areas) and abundant amenities (two washer/dryers, commercial size refrigerator/appliances, extra storage. All Ghaus® models are finished complete and landscaped, built as a model home would be minus the furniture and interior décor.

According to Pew Research Data more than 64 million Americans (that’s one in five) currently live in multigenerational homes. There are several explanations for the uptick. Increasing numbers of twenty-somethings moving home after experiencing the difficulty of staying financially afloat on an entry level wage dealing with their student loan payments and other monthly recurring expenses.

Additionally, older Americans are living longer and stretching fixed incomes further amid increasing healthcare costs. Moving in with adult children offers an opportunity to stay active, combat feelings of isolation common in seniors and make the most of their Social Security checks.

The trend toward multigenerational living isn’t likely to slow down anytime soon. Baby Boomers, living longer and healthier, likely won’t go gently to retirement communities and nursing homes, but will inevitably face the challenges that come with aging and living on their own. 

Population growth in the U.S. is also driving this trend. According to Pew, the population increase includes foreign-born Asian, Black, and Hispanic people who are more likely to live under one roof. The demographic shift is apparent in-home buying trends. A recent National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) survey of home buyers shows that half of African Americans (50%) and Hispanics (53%) say they prefer a home designed for multiple generations.

In addition to economic advantages, multigenerational adults who share living spaces can share childcare responsibilities, household tasks and added security during travel, trips or should one or two of the family decide to stay home to manage the home. This lifestyle can create greater bonds between family members and provides tremendous health and wellness benefits associated with social connections, activity, and other interactions.

Prioritize communication

Communicate frequently and clearly. 

Define responsibilities

Be clear about everyone’s responsibilities at the outset. Combining households can bring significant financial savings for everyone, but you still need to have clear, candid conversations about money: Discuss who pays for what, and how much. Same goes for unpaid labor around the house; talk about who cleans what, and on which days. 

Respect privacy

Adding more people to an existing living situation is bound to create some tension even for the most picture-perfect family. Privacy and personal space are essential for a happy home. If you share a particularly small space, perhaps take a walk, or sit on a bench at the park down the street for a bit. Creating a culture of respect for privacy is key for cohabitation.

Find shared hobbies and interests

Shared activities and experiences make the best memories. A family movie night with a rotating theme can bring everyone together as they pass the box of tissues or spit out their popcorn at surprising scenes. Maybe it’s tending a family garden in the backyard or baking recipes all for a family taste test. Whether it’s food, football, or film, find something you all enjoy and do it together.

Have realistic expectations

Adjustments take time, patience, and trial and error. Your family is capable of changing habits and improving communication. They can’t turn into completely different people. Living together happily requires hard work and compassion. Celebrate the small victories. 

To get a better understanding of what it’s like living in a multigenerational home, Rocket Mortgage® Research surveyed those who live in a home defined as multigenerational.

When asked about the familial makeup of the people in their home, respondents said parents and adult children were the most common familial roles represented. Those who participated in the survey were able to choose multiple answers, revealing an interesting trend in the data. Adults living in a multigenerational home may identify with multiple familial roles, like adult child and sibling.

On average, multigenerational homes consist of about four people. As you can imagine, the age range within these households can be quite diverse, with an average age gap of almost 40 years between the oldest and youngest members. Often, as many as four generations live together in one home. Many individuals surveyed have been living in multigenerational homes for a significant portion of their lives, with 31.7% of respondents reporting a lifelong experience in this type of living situation. It’s evident that multigenerational living is not limited to any age group but encompasses individuals from various stages of adulthood.

When asked about religion, 61.2% of respondents identified as Christian. It's worth noting that a considerable portion of respondents did not identify a religion, as 15.9% reported being nonreligious and 11.4% identified as other or prefer not to say. This diverse religious landscape reflects the inclusive nature of multigenerational homes.

The following are the top three reasons from respondents for why they live in a

multigenerational home:

• 48.8% said home affordability and saving money were their main concern when choosing where and how to live.

• 31.2 % of those surveyed said they wanted to spend more time with family.

• 27.9% said providing care for older family members was a significant factor.

Almost half of multigenerational homes today are driven by financial need and

benefit.

Of the 48.8% who said financial reasons were the main reason for multigenerational living, housing costs were the predominant concern. 40.2% of those respondents attributed their decision to share a home with family to either: the expensive housing market in their area (21.6%) or the need for multiple incomes to afford their home (18.6%). Meanwhile, 33.9% said saving money is too difficult without the additional support of multiple incomes supporting the household. Interestingly, only 5.2% of those surveyed cited the reduced cost of older adult care as a primary factor and just 2.5% cited childcare as their main motivation (7.7% in total).

Living in a multigenerational home can come with its own set of challenges.

Living in a multigenerational home has its advantages and challenges like any other type of housing situation. If you’re new to sharing your living space with multiple people under one roof, communication will be key to finding common ground and living in relative peace. If you treasure your privacy and enjoy quiet evenings alone reading a good book, you may want to research other housing arrangements where you can control your level of solitude and comfort without interruption or consideration of others’ opinions. 

56.5% of survey respondents said they would prefer to live alone in their own home or

with their immediate family only, if given the choice.

There are drawbacks to living with others. When it comes to challenges, 26.4% of respondents said privacy concerns are common. Additionally, 19.9% chose differences in opinions and beliefs as their primary frustration when living in a large family home. To manage privacy and personal space in daily life, 47.6% of those surveyed emphasized the importance of respecting each other's privacy.

Parent’s and adult children’s opinions of household dynamics differ drastically.

Overall, when it comes to the opinions of parents and adult children, a significant portion of respondents reported no noticeable changes in their family dynamics since living in a multigenerational household. Similarly, over half of the participants claimed neither positive nor negative effects on their mental health. However, when we separate and break down the opinions of parental adults and adult children regarding multigenerational living, we did find some intriguing differences.

How important is family time to parent Adults?

Of the parental adults surveyed, 30% said the greatest advantage of living in a multigenerational home is the increased time spent with their family. Parental adults are more likely to experience improvement in their mental health and intergenerational relationships compared to adult children when living with extended family.

How important is family time to adult children?

Of adult children surveyed, 30% identified shared financial responsibility of the household expenses as the greatest advantage of their multigenerational living arrangement. 13.1% felt not being able to branch out and explore other opportunities was the biggest disadvantage for them living in a multigenerational home. 

https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/multigenerational-living-in-america

Creating a functional living space involves designing separate living areas or wings, ensuring accessibility, and accommodating the specific needs of different generations. Thoughtful design can enhance interaction and facilitate a sense of togetherness while providing individual spaces. (https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/multigenerational-living-design-ideas)

Flexibility and Accessibility

Designing a multigenerational living space should prioritize flexibility and accessibility. Incorporating features such as wide hallways, non-slip flooring, and accessible bathrooms ensures that the space can adapt to the changing needs of family members of all ages.

Private and Shared Areas

Balancing private and shared spaces is crucial. Allowing family members to have their private areas while also providing common areas for shared activities and quality time fosters a healthy balance between personal space and togetherness.

Multigenerational households also form so that grandparents can help care for their grandchildren, and their children can care for them as they age. This type of arrangement can also lessen financial burdens, with several generations contributing to the mortgage payment and eliminating expenses of child care, retirement housing, or professional caregiving environments.

Home builders and remodelers are building and renovating homes to meet the needs of multigenerational households. These designs allow many generations of the same family to live together under one roof yet have private areas and combined living spaces.

Features of multigenerational home plans can include in-law suites within the main home with separate areas for independent living. These often have kitchenettes, ensuite bathrooms, and sometimes private entrances from the street. In addition, they frequently include “universal design” features, which focus on maximum usability by people of all ages and abilities. Examples include walk-in showers, smooth flooring transitions, and cabinets with pull-out drawers.

Below are four tips to improve your experience living in a multigenerational home.

• Establish clear rules and boundaries.
• Always strive to respect each other’s opinions and perspectives.
• Practice patience when interacting with one another.
• Build strong relationships so you can trust each other.

Generation Haus at Malabar Ranch model sites can be custom-configured to accommodate individual or special considerations. Consult with a Ghaus® representative to discuss site options and other custom design interests.

The first Generation Haus® Malabar Ranch homes are estimated to begin construction in late 2024 and into early 2025. 

The Malabar Ranch community does have an HOA through Management De Novo, Inc. and the dues are currently $318 per month and include maintenance and service of the electronic gates/security, common area amenities, and utilities.

Generation Haus® Malabar Ranch is a private, gated community, and as such an appointment is required to gain access, tour sites, and discuss the details of owning your own Ghaus. Contact info@generation.haus or call 760-473-8201 to get directions and set up a call or appointment to tour the community.

In California, there is no legal requirement that a buyer have a real estate agent, and most of the purchase documents and processes are standardized.