More Homes Becoming Multi-Generational
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – In the past three years more and more family members have been forced to share a roof as the country struggles to recover from a recession.
Earlier this year a survey by the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University found that nearly every American household has been touched by layoffs.
While the national unemployment rate hovers near eight percent, nearly a quarter of those surveyed said they were laid off at some point during the recession or afterward, according to the survey.
Nearly eight in 10 say they know someone in their circle of family and friends who has lost a job.
Nowhere more than South Florida is more than one generation living in a home more prevalent.
"Us as a Latin culture, we always like to stick together," said Louis Moreno.
Moreno and Danilza Velez believe in planning ahead, way ahead, even though they are not married yet.
"We're engaged," explained Moreno, "We're getting married this year."
Once they are married they are planning for Velez's mother to move in after they have kids.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 3.6 million parents live with their adult children, up 60% from 2000.
Balancing a different generations in the house can be tricky. Experts say the best way to handle this is to share the bills, decide when grandma will help with the kids and figure out who will do the cooking, shopping, laundry, household chores before the move in date.
Also make sure each generation has their own social life
"We're very close like we said like most Hispanics," said Velez.
They're even planning for their unborn children to move back in after college.
More than 20% of young adults aged 25 to 34 are living with their parents, the highest percentage in 60 years, according to the Pew Research Center.
For parents considering living with their adult children, experts suggest they talk with them about goals and setting limits. It's also important to remind them that no job is beneath them if they are looking for work.
Part of Moreno and Velez's planning is the home they plan to buy – it's fit for multi-generational living. There is an entirely separate suite with a bed, bath and laundry inside the home.
These multi-generation homes, known as a 'home within a home', have been built in Lennar Homes developments in Homestead, Doral and Kendall. The company plans to build more in developments in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
A multi-generation home, depending on which city the development is in, runs from $230,000 to $280,000.
