They are eleven seniors at the origin of this joint ownership of a new kind. Régis and Françoise, 76 years old, Marie-Hélène, the oldest, with her almost 80 years old, and all the others… In all, five families, thirteen children, and also a few single people live in the twenty-two apartments of this building inaugurated in June 2018. But they are much more than just neighbors.
Shared garden, workshop and laundry room
The community they have created brings together all ages. Everyone has their own apartment, from 50 to 130 square meters. They all share the garden, a workshop, a laundry room… There is even a guest studio, which you just need to book. These collective spaces, the residents administer them themselves. It’s called participatory housing…
The building has one-third owners, like Régis and Françoise, and two-thirds social housing. Most of the tenants are employed in the health, culture or education sector. To manage the collective spaces, the residents have created an association. All decisions are subject to a vote.
A unique alternative for old age
Elders run workshops, working people do the shopping for retirees. Everyone helps each other as much as possible. The adventure is not always easy, and the cohabitation sometimes difficult… But in the France of the grandpa-boom, this type of residence is experimenting with a more independent way of life for seniors, and a new alternative for the old age. These happy neighbors called themselves “the RoofMeWe”.
Excerpt from “We will grow old together”, a rebroadcast report in “Special Envoy” on February 3, 2022.
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