About the project
The aim of the project is to investigate housing inequality by analysing why and how, privileged and vulnerable groups respectively, are sharing housing.
In the aftermath of housing crises, increasing inequality and soaring singles populations, we currently witness the rise of individuals sharing housing with non-family members. Individuals (i.e. singletons) sharing housing is a new phenomenon that can lead to both vulnerability and to feelings of community.
The research team will analyse register data, map shared housing on national and local levels and carry out six case studies in Malmö and Stockholm.
The project comprises three work packages:
- Policy. We analyse the consequences on shared housing for privileged and vulnerable groups respectively, stemming from national and local policy changes and economic incentives.
- Prevalence. We map the size, prevalence and location of shared housing and whether it overlaps with existing social, ethnic and geographical polarisation.
- Practices. We investigate which negotiations take place in daily life, what social or physical borders are set up and whether services or sociability is expected between sharers or between property owners and lodgers.
The research is co-produced with housing research environments; key actors in the housing sector and an international research advisory board. The long-term goal of the project is to counteract exploitation of residents, support sustainable, shared housing and social housing policy. The research project also comprises an international advisory board and a national reference group.