Seattle has enacted a new law promoting co-living arrangements by lifting land use restrictions that previously barred such housing in various neighborhoods. Washington State Senator Jesse Salomon notes that both young adults and retirees are increasingly in search of affordable housing solutions in high-demand areas.
Co-living is characterized by buildings where residents have their own private sleeping quarters but share communal facilities like kitchens and bathrooms. This legislative move aligns with a state mandate requiring local governments to legalize co-living on multifamily lots by December 2025.
Co-living is not new and experts say can have positive environmental impacts on urban areas. Co-living maximizes the use of space by allowing multiple residents to share a single building. This can lead to reduced urban sprawl and more efficient land use. Shared facilities, such as kitchens and recreational areas, reduce the individual resource consumption of residents. By sharing resources, overall energy use for heating, cooling, and maintenance can be diminished.
Co-living communities often promote sustainable practices, such as recycling, composting, and communal gardening, which can lead to a more environmentally conscious lifestyle among residents. These types of spaces are frequently located in urban centers, which can encourage residents to walk, bike, or use public transportation rather than relying on cars. This can help decrease traffic congestion and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
By providing more affordable housing options, co-living can help lower-income individuals live in urban areas, potentially reducing the need for long commutes from suburban regions, which can contribute to environmental degradation.
As experts say a series of restrictive local zoning regulations over the years has complicated the establishment and management of these housing options, according to the Seattle-based think tank Sightline Institute.