The American West is facing an escalating housing affordability crisis, with popular Rocky Mountain resort towns struggling to maintain viable living options for locals as short-term vacation rentals proliferate, while in the California Bay Area, the influx of high-paying tech companies has driven property values beyond the reach of many. This insatiable appetite for expansive wilderness among the affluent has rendered the traditional dream of homeownership an unattainable aspiration for low-wage workers in states like Montana and Wyoming. Compounding this issue, seven of the ten states experiencing the most significant housing shortages are located in the western United States, creating a pervasive sense of hopelessness for those priced out of their communities. However, Samantha Paige Rosen’s new book, "Living, Together: Reimagining Community in the Age of Disconnection," offers a compelling exploration of communal living as a contemporary solution to this age-old challenge.

Through a rich collection of essays and interviews, Rosen’s book, published by Beacon Press, posits that communal living is not merely a practical necessity for individuals facing financial strain but a potentially advantageous arrangement that fosters robust support systems and deeper human connection. "The messaging in American culture that living independently is an important milestone, even an achievement, is nearly inescapable," Rosen observes, yet this ideal remains out of reach for a growing segment of the population. She emphasizes that "shaping our homes to better address physical, social, emotional and financial needs is essential for our survival."

Rosen’s personal journey deeply informs her perspective; in her late twenties, she found herself grappling with mental health challenges, her sexuality, and chronic pain while living independently. When her rent increased by a significant ten percent, she moved back in with her parents, a decision that unexpectedly provided her with comprehensive relief. This cohabitation arrangement proved remarkably successful, with Rosen and her parents effectively collaborating on household tasks and responsibilities, lasting for five years and extending well beyond her initial period of vulnerability. This experience led Rosen to pose the fundamental question: "How might we live together in order to have happier, healthier, and more connected lives?" In collaboration with twenty-one contributors, ranging in age from their twenties to their nineties, all residing within the United States, Rosen delves into the multifaceted reasons driving people toward communal living arrangements.

In a particularly poignant essay, Adam Vitcavage, founder of the literary platform Debutiful, recounts how he and his sister repaired their strained relationship by living together in Arizona, a state where rents have surged by an astonishing 72% between 2010 and 2022, while the median sale price of homes climbed by 57%. His sister’s move into his home after a divorce brought them into closer proximity, facilitating a healing process for a relationship that had become nearly estranged. Vitcavage reflects that through their shared living space, they were able to "stop wearing masks—maybe for the first time."

The profound housing shortages in cities like San Francisco have led to families being displaced, forced longer commutes, and placed immense strain on senior citizens. In this context, Jake Montano’s essay details his discovery of belonging within the vibrant queer community. Montano shares his experiences in drag pageants under the drag name Imelda Glucose and recounts his integration into a "chosen family" formed by individuals who were often estranged from their families of origin. This chosen family, he writes, "plays a critical role in addressing and remedying experiences of homophobia."

Los Angeles County, despite a population decrease of over 500,000 in the past decade, has witnessed a surge in housing demand driven by an increase in single-person households. Author Gabrielle Korn, faced with making ends meet in this challenging environment, began renting out her home office on Airbnb. The unexpected emotional connections she formed with her guests inspired her to establish The Pink Door Artist and Writer Residency, offering a vital opportunity for creatives who would otherwise be unable to afford such a space.

Housing prices in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, situated in the nation’s wealthiest county, have skyrocketed, fueled by the extreme luxury demands of status-seeking celebrities and plutocrats. In response, Adam Meyer hosts popular monthly dinner parties, bringing together friends and strangers, many of whom have been priced out of homeownership. This tradition, which began during Meyer’s college days, stems from his fond memories of dorm life, where he "really did love that part of dorm life—walking by your neighbor’s room, seeing their door open, and chatting for thirty minutes."

"Living, Together" serves as a powerful reminder that we possess the capacity to reimagine and reshape our world into something new. Several communities are already demonstrating this transformative potential. Boulder, Colorado, has recently repealed occupancy limits that were specifically enacted to curtail the existence of co-ops, signaling a shift towards more inclusive housing models. Residents of a mobile home park in Durango, with the assistance of a land trust, successfully collaborated to purchase their community, thereby averting a corporate buyout. Across other regions of the country, Rosen highlights intergenerational neighborhoods that foster mutual benefit by housing seniors alongside families adopting children through the foster care system.

In an era dominated by private equity and astronomical property prices, where vacant second homes stand as stark symbols of economic disparity in resort towns, individuals are increasingly banding together to address challenges and embrace communal living. In her heartfelt introduction, Rosen draws a parallel to fellow anthology editor Margot Kahn, who described such collections as "the town hall bound in pages." Anthologies, by their very nature, invite dialogue and the presentation of counterpoints. In today’s world, where even town hall meetings can devolve into sites of polarized conflict, this harmonizing chorus of voices dedicated to building community deserves a warm and enthusiastic reception from readers.