There are circumstances in which intergenerational homes are both necessary and beneficial. If a young couple or an elderly person does not have enough income to support themselves in their own place, living with family can be either a temporary or a permanent solution, depending on the arrangement between the family and the person paying the mortgage. While a young person might not be able to afford rent, they are probably more nimble than their aging parents, able to fix things around the house and help out with cooking or chores. An older family member living with their adult children’s growing families can help out by taking care of the kids while their parents are at work. Even the pleasure of an older family member’s company might be worth the inconveniences of another mouth to feed.

While some households happily house multiple generations, that’s not the case for all. Some couples simply don’t have the space to house their partner’s extended family for an extended period of time, and that doesn’t mean that they don’t love them. Living with someone, especially rent-free, is a huge ask.