Photo by Kira Ikonnikova

According to a Reuters report this week, there’s been a rise in the purchase of multigenerational homes (meaning more than one generation share the same dwelling) over the past year, with demand for this kind of housing expected to continue to increase.

Based on a survey by Coldwell Banker Real Estate of its agents, the article shares that this shift is more motivated by financial (primary) or health (secondary) reasons than by close family bonds, not surprising in the current economy. Unemployed college graduates are part of this mix, as are aging parents of Baby Boomers.

While close families apparently aren’t the cause of this cultural shift, it’s interesting to think about the ways this phenomenon could contribute to tighter family environments (which inevitably mean both closer and more stressful relationships).

I wonder what the same survey would look like if we asked youth pastors instead of real estate agents? Do you notice this or other trends in your own context? And how do you anticipate it will impact the families in your ministry (and your approach to ministry) as a result?