Reassessing Obstacles and Opportunities for Marginalised, Middle-Aged Tenants in Europe: Addressing the Challenges of Prolonged House Sharing Through Case Studies in Barcelona and Amsterdam

ROOMMATE investigates the increasingly prevalent phenomenon of prolonged involuntary house sharing within the private rental market among individuals aged 40+, using Amsterdam and Barcelona as case studies.

Economic instability, demographic changes, and a shrinking pool of affordable housing are pushing mature tenants into shared accommodations.This project addresses a critical gap in housing research by shifting the focus from young adults to older individuals, thereby offering new empirical insights into how age intersects with housing insecurity.

By employing a comparative urban approach and qualitative research, the project integrates life course perspectives with intersectional analysis to investigate how lived experiences of extended house sharing reshape notions of future and progress, alter reproductive decisions and caregiving practices, and exacerbate intersectional inequalities.

These unique empirical insights will be used to explore innovative housing solutions addressing evolving social needs over the life course.

The project aims to 1) establish a research framework to analyse long-term housing precarity; 2) empirically explore the lived experiences of older house sharers; and 3) examine international housing innovations to co-develop policies that address evolving life-course needs and enhance housing security for diverse populations.

ROOMMATE's findings are expected to contribute significantly to the development of innovative policies and housing solutions, addressing urgent social challenges in Europe, such as prolonged precarity, demographic ageing, and the care and climate crises.

By disseminating successful experiences in housing innovations and developing policies that support housing as a social infrastructure for diverse family choices, household configurations, care needs, and environmental challenges, ROOMMATE will significantly impact housing research and policy, promoting transformative improvements in housing equity and sustainability.