Dwelling on-the-move together in Sweden: sharing exclusive housing in times of marketization

Abstract

ABSTRACT For almost a century, Swedes living in shared housing have resided in ‘kollektivhus’, a form of co-housing that support sharing reproductive work. However, during the past decade, new forms of exclusive shared housing have emerged on the Swedish housing market. In contrast to international trends of vulnerable singles being forced to share housing, this Swedish example shows that also financially privileged singles reside in shared housing. Based on a survey of housing companies and a case study the article argues that mobility has been a driver for this new form of shared housing. In the article, ‘dwelling on-the-move together’ is identified as a new practice of residing in exclusive shared housing. This practice is characterised by sharing private, exclusive facilities, sharing paid services and sharing spaces for both home and work, in an environment that certifies that residents can come and go as they please while hired staff takes care of their property. While exclusive shared housing is an asset for residents, it also privatise facilities and reintroduces domestic workers to middle-class housing. In all, the marketization of shared housing risks introducing a stratification of shared housing which may reinforce the geographic and social polarisation of Swedish cities.