Living together as a solidarity and generative practice: the case of co-housing and organized cohabitations

Abstract

ABSTRACT In Italy there is a growing interest in shared housing driven by various factors, including the need for affordable housing, the desire for communal living and initiatives that target vulnerable individuals. This also extends into the realm of social services, incorporating a residential aspect. This article explores the factors that render two specific forms of living – co-housing and cohabitation – generative and capable of fostering solidarity among inhabitants and their social environment. The focus is on the creation of relationships and solidarity bonds within these living settings. Shared housing can become a valuable resource, embodying a form of generative welfare that aims to overcome traditional welfarism. With this model, resources multiply through the interventions themselves, regenerating the value available to individuals and the community.