Splitting up houses as a solution to housing shortage in the Netherlands: considerations of younger and older adults

The Netherlands is facing an enormous housing shortage. As a consequence, housing prices are rising sharply, and the affordability of housing is beginning to be compromised. Especially starters on the housing market are affected by the current situation. To reduce the pressure on the housing market large numbers of new houses will need to be built. Next to that, alternative solutions need to be considered. One possible solution could be splitting up existing homes into several independent homes. Currently, many older adults are living alone in a relatively large, detached house, and are only using part of it. By splitting the house, two independent living spaces can be formed. This may make it easier for young people to enter the housing market. If the young people in the split houses are willing to perform help tasks for the older adults, this will increase their options for aging in place. While the idea of splitting a home into several fully independent homes is not new, more insights are needed into the viability of this housing solution. This study therefore contributes to these insights by mapping the considerations of both older and younger people when living in a split house and regarding receiving or giving help. Information on these points of consideration was collected through interviews with both target groups. Both the older and young adults indicated that they are open to live in a split house. However, both parties did have some points of concerns related to financial, social (privacy) and practical aspects of the housing situation. By addressing these points of concern, splitting up houses could become an attractive solution to solve the shortage of affordable housing for young people and increase the possibilities for older adults to age in place.