Tiny NYC Co-living Spaces: A Controversial Housing Trend

<img src="https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c77c29af0f6206a290617d4484fc5557b192f234/0_0_2850_1901/master/2850.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none" alt="A co-living space in Bedford, Brooklyn">

Co-living spaces, offering small rooms (as little as 74 sq ft) for around $1900 a month, are rapidly expanding in NYC neighborhoods like Crown Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Bushwick. While companies like Cohabs advertise a built-in community and flexible leases, attracting young professionals, particularly those from overseas, long-term residents express serious concerns.

Gentrification Fears

Locals view these developments as harbingers of gentrification, fearing displacement and the loss of community character. The conversion of traditional homes into co-living units, often with luxury amenities like gyms and cinema rooms, significantly increases rent rolls, driving up prices in the surrounding area. One resident called co-living the “antithesis” of community and an “unofficial hotel for European tourists”.

The Cohabs Perspective

Cohabs, a major player in the co-living market, argues that they provide a much-needed housing solution for young people, fostering community in a sometimes overwhelming city. They also claim to engage with communities before opening new developments and highlight local businesses to their members as a way to invest back into the neighborhood. However, critics argue that the short-term nature of residents' stays (an average of 11 months) prevents the formation of lasting community bonds.

A Housing Crisis?

Despite a significant increase in housing units in recent years, NYC's housing demand far outpaces supply. The low vacancy rate is fueling the debate around the role of co-living spaces and the need for stronger regulations to prevent potential abuse and exploitation of tenants.

The Bigger Picture

The tension highlights a complex issue: the need for affordable housing for younger generations versus the preservation of established communities facing displacement due to rising rents and changing demographics. The rapid expansion of co-living necessitates a careful examination of its social and economic impacts on NYC neighborhoods.