Across the Western United States, the dream of homeownership is increasingly out of reach for many, creating profound housing shortages and driving up the cost of living. In picturesque Rocky Mountain resort towns, the proliferation of short-term vacation rentals has systematically eroded the availability of affordable housing options, while in the tech-driven landscape of California’s Bay Area, soaring salaries have inflated property values to astronomical levels. This escalating demand from affluent individuals seeking exclusive access to natural beauty has rendered the traditional American ideal of homeownership an insurmountable challenge for low-wage workers in states like Montana and Wyoming. Data reveals a stark reality: seven of the ten states grappling with the most severe housing shortages are located in the West, underscoring a pervasive and growing crisis. While the lack of affordable housing can foster feelings of hopelessness, a new book offers a compelling exploration of an age-old solution: communal living.

Samantha Paige Rosen’s latest work, Living, Together: Reimagining Community in the Age of Disconnection, published by Beacon Press, presents a collection of essays and interviews that argue for communal living not merely as a practical necessity for those facing financial strain, but as a mutually beneficial arrangement that fosters vital support networks and deepens social connection. Rosen observes that American culture persistently promotes the notion of independent living as a significant life achievement, an ideal that remains unattainable for a substantial portion of the population. She emphasizes that adapting our living spaces to better meet physical, social, emotional, and financial needs is fundamental to our well-being and survival.

Rosen’s personal journey informed her exploration of this theme. In her late twenties, while navigating personal challenges including mental health concerns, her sexuality, and chronic pain, she experienced a significant rent increase that prompted her to move back in with her parents. To her surprise, this arrangement provided a comprehensive sense of relief, allowing her to thrive alongside her parents as they collaboratively managed household responsibilities. This living situation proved so successful that it continued for five years, extending well beyond her period of initial recovery. This experience led Rosen to pose a critical question: "How might we live together in order to have happier, healthier, and more connected lives?" In her book, she collaborates with 21 contributors, ranging in age from their twenties to their nineties, all residing in the United States, to delve into the multifaceted reasons why people choose communal living arrangements.

One poignant contribution comes from Adam Vitcavage, the founder of the literary platform Debutiful. He recounts a story of familial reconciliation in Arizona, a state that has witnessed a staggering 72% increase in rent between 2010 and 2022, alongside a 57% rise in the median sale price of homes. His sister moved in with him following a divorce, and their renewed proximity facilitated the healing of a relationship that had become nearly estranged. Vitcavage reflects that by sharing a home, they were able to shed their pretenses and connect authentically, "stop wearing masks… maybe for the first time."

The pervasive issue of housing shortages has had a profound impact on communities nationwide, forcing families to relocate, extending commutes, and placing undue burdens on senior citizens. In San Francisco, a city grappling with these challenges, Jake Montano’s essay illuminates the discovery of belonging within the queer community. Montano shares his experiences in drag pageants under the stage name Imelda Glucose and describes joining a household formed by a chosen family, many of whom had experienced estrangement from their biological relatives. This chosen family, he writes, plays a crucial role in addressing and overcoming experiences of homophobia.

In Los Angeles County, despite a population decrease of over 500,000 people in the past decade, housing demand has paradoxically surged due to an increase in single-person households. Amidst these pressures, author Gabrielle Korn found herself renting out her home office on Airbnb to supplement her income. 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 might otherwise be unable to access such resources.

The town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, situated in the nation’s wealthiest county, has experienced a dramatic escalation in housing prices, largely driven by the extreme luxury preferences of status-seeking celebrities and the ultra-wealthy. In response, Adam Meyer orchestrates popular monthly dinner parties, bringing together friends and acquaintances, many of whom have been priced out of homeownership in the area. This tradition originated during Meyer’s college years, when he envisioned his friends cohabiting in a large apartment building, cherishing the casual interactions of dorm life: "I 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 transforming our world and creating something new is within our reach. Evidence of this potential for change is emerging in various locales; Boulder, Colorado, recently abolished occupancy limits that had long been used to suppress the existence of co-ops, a significant step toward fostering more inclusive housing. In Durango, residents of a mobile home park successfully collaborated to purchase their community with the assistance of a land trust, safeguarding their homes from a corporate takeover. Rosen also guides readers to intergenerational neighborhoods in other parts of the country where seniors and families adopting children through the foster system reside together, creating mutually beneficial living environments.

In an era dominated by private equity and exorbitant housing costs, where vacant second homes stand as stark symbols of inequality in resort towns, individuals are increasingly banding together to confront these challenges through communal living. In her heartfelt introduction, Rosen references fellow anthology editor Margot Kahn, who aptly describes this collection as "the town hall bound in pages." Anthologies, by their nature, invite dialogue and diverse perspectives. In a contemporary climate where even civic forums can be characterized by polarized conflict, this chorus of voices harmonizing on the theme of building community merits a warm reception from readers seeking connection and solutions.