Can multigenerational housing help solve the housing crisis?

Baby Boomers are the retiring generation that has acquired a lifetime of assets. Discussions in our region reveal that many would like to downsize for less maintenance, lower expenses and time to travel and enjoy the fruits of their long employment history. 

With the uptick in housing prices, they are locked into remaining in their homes because downsizing would often get them less square footage for the same monthly expenses. Being unable to shift this inventory to a younger demographic furthers the grip on unattainable local worker housing.

The definition of “multigenerational housing” is as it sounds: People from multiple generations live in the same dwelling. Regional home builders have perfected floor plans and building styles that visually resemble houses in a single-family neighborhood. 

The dwelling has one driveway, one set of utility services, one address and typically one entry door. The difference is inside. 

The most effective floor plans have two separate doors once you’ve entered the foyer, one to the main house and one to the additional living unit. The ALU is typically smaller: It may be a studio or one-bedroom but has its own kitchen, living room and bathroom. 

Some have a separate patio or slider door and access to one bay of a garage. There are a number of options available for interior plans, but the concept remains the same. A single/couple or small family can live in the smaller unit while the larger family occupies the main house.

 One solution may be to review and adapt ordinances in the region to allow for multigenerational housing. Currently, this type of housing is allowed by Idaho building code but not allowed by ordinance in many Kootenai County jurisdictions. By definition, they are viewed as duplexes, which triggers zoning codes that prohibit them. 

Only Post Falls and the county allow multigenerational housing. 

If building or remodeling into multigenerational housing structures were allowed, the benefits would be substantial. The aging population could stay in place, be freed from larger home upkeep obligations and expenses, or be onsite for latchkey kids, pet sitting or property safety that allows the working family to thrive. 

The younger generation has the convenience of overseeing aging adults while not living directly with them or having to pay for and travel to a senior-focused living center. This gradual shift in the makeup of neighborhoods preserves the character, density, aesthetics and property values for the multi-gen structure as well as the neighboring homes.

As the Housing Solutions Partnership continues to propose solutions to the local worker housing crisis, the continued examination of ordinance modifications is a priority item in the ToolKit. We encourage your input. See housingni.org for more information.

Kiki Miller is a Coeur D’Alene City Council member and founding member of the Housing Solutions Partnership.