Two different intergenerational formulas
The first formula is the intergenerational residence: a building where flats are allocated deliberately to a mix of retirees, young workers, students and families, with a common room and a coordinator who encourages exchanges. Each household has its own lease and independent home.
The second is intergenerational homeshare, where an older person living in their own home offers a room to a young person for a modest rent or simply in exchange for presence and help. The ELAN law of 2018 created a specific contract for this arrangement.
Who benefits from living across generations
Independent older people who fear isolation, recently widowed retirees and those whose children live far away often find comfort in daily contact with younger neighbours. In return, students and young workers gain affordable housing in cities where rents are otherwise out of reach.
Families with young children may appreciate older neighbours who can collect children from school or share a meal. The model works best when everyone joins voluntarily and understands that it is neighbourly solidarity, not a care service.
Local authorities also value these projects because they keep older people active in their neighbourhood, delay moves into institutions and revitalise town centres. Some programmes involve schools, nurseries or community centres located on the ground floor of the building.
How intergenerational residences are organised
Social landlords, municipalities and associations usually build or convert the building, then sign a charter with tenants describing the shared life project. Activities may include gardening, cooking workshops, homework help and digital lessons given by younger residents to older ones.
| Aspect | Intergenerational residence | Intergenerational homeshare | Independent-living residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | Own flat in a mixed building | Own home, room let to a young person | Own flat among older residents |
| Contract | Ordinary lease plus charter | Specific cohabitation contract | Residence contract |
| Who organises | Landlord or association coordinator | Specialised associations matching people | Operator of the residence |
| Care provided | None | None | None, outside services possible |
| Main benefit | Neighbourly links | Company and modest income | Security and shared services |
Costs and available help
Rents in intergenerational residences built by social landlords follow social housing rules and depend on income, so housing benefit often applies. In homeshare, the older host may receive a small rent, while matching associations usually charge a membership or placement fee.
If an older resident needs help at home, the usual aids remain available, notably APA at home for those assessed in GIR 1 to 4. The intergenerational setting does not replace professional care, but neighbours can alert family or services quickly.
Steps to join a project
- Decide whether you prefer a mixed building or hosting a young person at home
- Ask the town hall and social landlords about existing residences
- Contact homeshare associations operating in your city
- Meet the coordinator or the young person before committing
- Read the charter or cohabitation contract and agree on practical rules
Similar models abroad
Homeshare programmes exist across the United Kingdom, where networks match older householders with younger people who provide companionship and light help in return for low-cost accommodation. Similar schemes operate in Ireland, Australia, the United States and several European countries.
Some countries have gone further, housing students inside care facilities in exchange for time spent with residents, or designing neighbourhoods for foster families and older volunteers. These experiences confirm the French observation that mixing generations reduces loneliness when it is well coordinated.
Access for retirees moving to France
Foreign retirees can rent in an intergenerational residence on the same terms as others, provided they hold lawful residence and meet income criteria for social housing. Allocation committees decide, and demand in large cities exceeds supply, so patience and flexibility on location help.
Hosting a student in a French home requires good spoken French and an understanding of local tenancy practice. Associations generally interview both sides, check references and remain available to mediate, which is reassuring for newcomers unfamiliar with the system.
Pitfalls and misunderstandings
- Expecting younger neighbours to provide personal care
- Joining a project without reading the shared life charter
- Underestimating noise and different daily rhythms
- Hosting a young person without a written agreement on house rules
- Choosing a residence with no coordinator to keep the project alive
Frequently asked questions
Older people tempted by intergenerational living usually want to know about privacy, compatibility, legal protection and what happens if relations deteriorate. The answers below summarise general practice, which each association or landlord may adapt in its own charter and contract.
Do I lose privacy in an intergenerational residence?
No. Each household keeps its own flat and front door. Participation in shared activities is encouraged but voluntary, and residents decide how much contact they want, which makes the formula very different from collective living in a care home.
How are hosts and young people matched?
Homeshare associations interview both parties about habits, expectations, health and schedules, then propose a meeting. A trial period is common. The association remains a point of contact throughout, and either side can end the arrangement according to the contract.
Is intergenerational housing suitable for people with memory problems?
Mild difficulties can be compatible if family and professionals remain involved, but the model is designed for independent people. Significant cognitive decline requires supervision that neighbours or a young lodger cannot and should not be expected to provide.
Can grandparents and grandchildren apply together?
Intergenerational residences are about mixing unrelated households rather than housing one family, although some projects include multi-generation flats. Families wishing to live together usually look for adapted ordinary housing or a home with a separate annex instead.
Sources and organisations
- La Banque Postale – La colocation intergénérationnelle — Guide to intergenerational house-sharing: a senior rents a room to a young person, legal framework, contract and mutual benefits.
- Habitat inclusif : un chez-soi et une vie sociale partagée — Official page on inclusive housing: private home with shared spaces, a shared social-life project and the shared-living allowance.
- Changer de logement – résidences autonomie et solutions — Official section presenting housing options for seniors: independent-living residences, service residences, family foster care and shared housing.