More and more older people and single parents in Australia are turning to social media and online communities to find suitable roommates for their families, according to Radio 9.
Linda Minda, a 68-year-old grandmother, created a series of Facebook groups to cope with the housing affordability crisis. Groups can link older tenants. Minda's group leads this trend.
The Senior Share Houses group now operates in 16 regions in Australia, with more than 5000 members.
"I was thinking, 'what can we do and what we can do with our existing resources without asking for help from the fund,'" Minda told Harry Clarke. They don't want a complicated life, they just want a home. "
Kunzhou shared roommates Lyndall Lamond and Hillary Hook found each other on the Facebook group's platform. They are already struggling with the expensive and competitive traditional rental market. "Real estate agents don't want to know about you," Lamond laughs. The rent is lower here, and there are company here. I have a cat. "
Nor does the elderly seem to be the only ones affected by the housing crisis. Single parents are also feeling the pressure of housing prices, and more families are forced into the shared housing economy.
Willo Ford, with two children, created an online forum, ShareAbode, to help families in difficult times connect with each other.
"when I became a single mother myself, I had a hard time paying my rent," Ford said. It took me four months to find a rental. "
According to Minda, the cost of living continues to rise, and many Australian families are more eager to find affordable accommodation. "recently, a lot of young women also consulted and wanted to join the elderly housing group."