Can the older generation alleviate the housing crises?

amother

OP ↓

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 9:03 am

I am writing this due to my very uncomfortable situation. I am literally at a loss.

I come from a city where the young generation does not have where to live. This is not an exaggeration of any kind. There are no nearby places for young couples to go. The community is looking to expand and relocate but there are literally no option. It's not in the USA like Monsey or Lakewood where people can move out.

This is where I start wondering. There are many older couples who have married off their children and are living in huge houses with 4,5,6 bedrooms, huge living dining room and kitchen. I wish those older couples would see their children and grandchildren struggling with raising families in holes. I live in 400 square feet with 2 growing kids. I literally do not have where to put another kid.

If those grandparents would split their houses and rent out the units to 2-3 families (including basement and loft) it would really alleviate the housing crises. Those couples were fortunate to buy those houses when they were young marrieds themselves and now that they don't need it, it would be a great service to put some of them back on the market to sell.

I am thinking of two of my grandparents living in a ridiculous amount of space which hardly gets used. They can keep some parts for themselves and rent or sell the rest. Whenever I pass these huge empty houses, I fantasize.

Most of them have had a double digit family themselves and support large families. Now it's time for us to raise ours. But where?

I just feel so hopeless at the moment. What's going to be? Where should I raise my kids? In my tiny bedroom? Small windows, no porch, no space for my stroller or suitcases.

amother

Bluebonnet

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 9:19 am

my parents and in laws just like this.
the reason they don’t move is because they can’t REBUY anything.
their big not modern paid off home will get them $500, maybe $600K. what can they get for that? a small condo?
my in laws in brooklyn can probably sell for $1.5.
they have a three family unit. They don’t want to move out of their five bedroom space into the two bedroom space downstairs.

they don’t want small condo living. and to trade your big spacious home for a small house, just doesn’t make sense. they just close off certain parts and enjoy the space they are using.
my parents would do MUCH better on a one floor home. but financially it actually does NOT make enough sense

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 9:22 am

amother Wisteria wrote:

Maybe we can round them up and put them all in a nursing home. Then the house would be empty and available for young, fresh, and vibrant people who are clearly more deserving of resources. Better yet, put them on an iceberg out to see and repurpose the nursing home as kollel housing for people in Shana Reshona who don’t have more than one baby yet.

If you're just here to be rude, get off my thread.

Honestly, I'll ask to have it locked if it's going to go down this route. No need for these kind of nasty posts.

Why would I put my grandparents in a nursing home? Did I imply anything like that?

Also, how big is your house, 2000 square feet?

simcha12plus

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 9:24 am

most people that age do NOT want to be landlords and have to worry about construction and collecting rent and worrying about hearing, electricity, and plumbing for another family.
they don’t want the noise of young children on other floors
they don’t want to give up the space they have
they don’t want to give up their privacy
they dont want to share their driveways.

there are so many reasons they aren’t doing this

amother

Valerian ↓

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 9:28 am

amother OP wrote:

What does the size of her house have to do with anything? She may have been a little harsh, but I think she has a point. Are we really trying to advocate for the older generation to move out so the younger generation can move in? Just take a second to think about how that sounds.

amother

Jean ↓

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 9:29 am

amother OP wrote:

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So why don't you (and other young couples) do what many of these parents did? They moved to new locations and worked through the inconveniences of setting up their lives elsewhere (or building new communities).

They put in the work and effort, they should get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. They don't owe the young couples anything. They should get to enjoy their space and being able to accommodate their large families for YT and other occasions - as well as do what financially makes sense for them.

amother

Babyblue ↓

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 9:33 am

amother Wisteria wrote:

Maybe we can round them up and put them all in a nursing home. Then the house would be empty and available for young, fresh, and vibrant people who are clearly more deserving of resources. Better yet, put them on an iceberg out to sea and repurpose the nursing home as kollel housing for people in Shana Reshona who don’t have more than one baby yet.

No, please no! One can't ask an elderly person to move to a nursing home bec u want their house! Would you like to be asked to move to a house a mile away, because for ex, your kids can walk, so u don't need to live in the Eruv. Family XYZ on the other hand, need to live near the shul.. PLease!

amother

↑ Babyblue ↓

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 9:35 am

amother Babyblue wrote:

Oh sorry, just read your post again, didn't realise you were being sarcastic!

PinkFridge ↓

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 9:35 am

How old is old?
Take 60 something grandparents. They're still hosting. And probably want to host.
Once you get deeper into 70s you have some big problems if they sell and within five years have big medical issues. Being in their fully for a long time paid off house at that point will facilitate a lot of the medical $$ issues. Which is a BIG BIG BIG chessed for their children.
Sorry. You have some nice ideas but not too practical. Not to mention that in some areas there are restrictions about doing that kind of thing to their homes.

amother

Chartreuse

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 9:40 am

The irony gets to me sometimes.
Op has a point. I had such thoughts at times.

I was living in a one bedroom apt with 4 kids while next door (and half the block) old people in big houses.

They have a hard time with their steps, while I am in an elevator building which would suit them better.

Maybe if there would be awareness and organizations to gently help them move and sell or rent their house, it could happen. But we have to be aware change is hard for elderly.

amother

Leaf

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 9:40 am

amother OP wrote:

I'm in the same situation as you OP. Currently living in a ridiculously small space (500 Sf basement, 4 kids) with little hope on the horizon of moving out. However, I get her point. Though I get it and am currently experiencing your pain, I still cringed at your initial post suggesting that the older generation who sweated and toiled in their younger years be expected to downsize just as they got to their golden years. It might be a good solution within an individual family when coming from a place of love. But to advocate for the elderly in general, to give up their beloved, hard earned homes for the younger generation comes across as entitled.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Aug 27 2024, 9:44 am

amother Jean wrote:

But they didn't! They moved into an existing smaller community and hijacked all their conveniences.

Most of these women were stay at home mums. The men were in kollel and they STILL were able to buy huge houses in their twenties. In a city!!

Their tution was peanuts and was waived for many many large families because of the hashkafah of having many kids.

I wrote my OP because all I want is to know that I can have another kid! I don't need what they have. I am not asking for a study, a playroom, I don't need more than 1-2 bedrooms to fit all my kids iyh, I don't need a big front and back yard, I don't need parking because we don't have a car. I don't need a laundry room, hallway etc. I Just want a kitchen, decent living room and 2-3 bedrooms. I would love a small garden for the kids.

All I want is a healthy family.

I was just suggesting an idea and would like to hear others opinions RESPECTFULLY.