Multigenerational house: What is it??

The term "multigenerational house" has been heard more and more frequently in recent years. Often it causes confusion, because the term can be used to describe two actually different ideas. What can be meant when we talk about a multigenerational house, you can find out here.

Two different meanings

The name of the multigenerational house suggests that different generations meet at the same time. But for what purpose people gather there and for how long they do so depends on the individual case. The term is not legally protected.

The multigenerational house as a meeting place

The German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) supports about 530 multigenerational houses in Germany, which function as meeting places in their neighborhoods. No one lives there, instead various projects are offered: There are offers for child care, seminars and open meetings. Courses, workshops and events are aimed at young and old: sports, art, cooking or baking, computer courses, informal get-togethers – if there is interest and someone can be found to take over the organization, a wide variety of events can take place in a multigenerational house.

These generation houses are explicitly intended to bring together people from different cultural and religious backgrounds. People of all ages are welcome. Being together promotes integration, inclusion and breaks down barriers. A federal program to promote such multigenerational houses was recently extended until 2028.

The annual federal grant per multigenerational house is a maximum of 40.000 Euro. On the part of the municipalities, administrative districts and/or countries further subsidies of in each case up to 10 are possible.000 euros possible. In addition, the generation houses in Germany currently benefit from the fact that more than 30.000 volunteers are employed.

The multigenerational house as a residence

However, buildings in which several generations actually live can also be described as multigenerational houses. Often all co-inheritors come from the same family, but this is no longer the only possibility. Whoever gets along so well that living together offers advantages for all can move into a house together.

Ideally, everyone benefits from this arrangement: seniors are not alone and enjoy meaningful and exciting tasks in their daily lives. At the same time, someone is there to take care of them when some things don't work the way they once did. Parents, on the other hand, get much-needed help from seniors with childcare and household chores. The children, in turn, benefit from different caregivers who can look after them and teach them new things. Living in a community in a multi-generational house works well if everyone practices it as mutual give and take.

Living in a multigenerational house: This should be taken into account

A multigenerational house must provide comfortable living for all co-inhabitants. It should have the following characteristics:

• there is enough space for everyone who wants to move in and live here for the long term – also in view of the fact that children are getting older and want their own room
• the entrance is barrier-free
• the ways between the floors can be overcome with the elevator or the elevator
• Doors and hallways are wide enough for walkers and wheelchairs
• the shower is accessible at ground level and includes a seat
• the bedrooms are large enough for nursing beds

In advance, all parties should also agree on how they want to live: There are the options of living in a house, but in separate apartments, or to set up a large residential community. In the latter case, the kitchen, dining room and living room, as well as other common rooms, are shared.

The type of house that comes into question depends on the preferences of those involved. However, there should be clarity about these things at the earliest possible stage. Ideally, the shared apartment should function in the long term. Accordingly, it is important that all parties are satisfied with the circumstances.

However, houses large enough to provide sufficient space for two or more parties do not often exist. The search is further complicated by the fact that the property should be barrier-free. Many people who want to live in a generation house, therefore, have it rebuilt according to their ideas. This is how a house is built exactly according to the individual needs of the residents.

Living together has potential for conflict

Disagreements and conflicts occur even in the best friendships and families. This is quite natural and can hardly be prevented, even in a multigenerational house. Therefore, it is important that you clarify various things even before implementing your plans, such as:

• Who has what rights and obligations?
• Which decisions are made only in the community?
• What about financing the house or. the rent?

Especially the latter point you should pay attention to early: A house that offers enough space and the optimal equipment is rarely cheap.

The question of costs must be clarified at an early stage

If you want to rent a multigenerational house, the calculation of the costs is relatively easy. It is up to your internal arrangements whether one party pays proportionately more or less than the other. The fixed costs, however, are clear: they consist of rent and service charges. This simplifies planning.

The situation is different if you want to buy a house or have it built. In theory, the salaries of working residents and the pensions of the older generation flow into the common fund. The potentially possible repayment rate for a loan is correspondingly high. However, not every bank accepts seniors as debtors in construction financing. In this case, you have several options:

• Seniors regularly set aside an amount and give it to borrowers for an annual unscheduled repayment (this must be agreed in the loan contract).
• Seniors pay a higher amount into the household coffers instead.
• The seniors put up a higher amount for the equity.

In any case, it is important that you conclude a contract – this way there will be no disputes over financial issues. This is also advisable if you are moving in with family members or close friends: Disagreements may arise, fronts may harden. Without a proper legal regulation, everyone suffers.

What subsidies are available for generation houses?

Unlike the meeting centers, generation houses for living are not specially subsidized. However, the same subsidy options are open to you as for any other residential building: If you are building new or renovating, you can, for example, comply with certain standards and apply for the KfW subsidy for energy-efficient construction and renovation.

In the case of a multigenerational house, you can also apply for the KfW subsidy for age-appropriate conversions. Depending on the extent of the measures you have carried out, you can get a credit of up to 50.000 euros at very favorable interest rates. Under the program "Altersgerecht Umbauen – Investitionszuschuss – Barrierereduzierung" you can alternatively receive a grant of up to 12.5 percent of the conversion costs (maximum, however, 6.250 euros) received.

It is also worthwhile to find out what subsidies are offered by the states and municipalities. Because there can be vastly different programs in the states. Not every municipality offers support here, but you should ask anyway. Other possible points of contact are social and church institutions.

If a resident of the multigenerational house has a care degree, the care insurance company will also step in. If structural measures are carried out, which facilitate the life in the house for the person in need of care, the cash takes over up to 4.000 euros of the cost. If there are several residents in need of care, the support can extend up to 16.000 euros add up. However, this does not apply if you are building new: The subsidy is only paid if it is for existing properties, so seniors can stay in their familiar surroundings.

Conclusion: A multi-generation house can be an enrichment

On the one hand, a multigenerational house is a meeting center where people of all ages meet, support each other, tackle projects and spend time together. On the other hand, the term means a residential building in which several parties of different ages live together in a residential community. The shared apartment can be composed within the family, but also consist of unrelated roommates. The purpose of such multigenerational houses is to support each other in everyday life in the community, so that everyone benefits from the constellation.

A residential property that is to function as a multigenerational home must meet many requirements so that all residents feel comfortable. A barrier-free extension and sufficient space are the most important factors. The housing community can live for rent, buy a house or build one. Subsidies for senior-friendly expansion or energy-efficient construction facilitate the financing of such projects. Financial arrangements should also always be contractually agreed upon.