Viriginie Riva, edited by Clément Perruche 8:45 am, October 6, 2021

In the absence of low-cost housing, many students are turning to intergenerational collocations.

For rent often below market prices, they live with the elderly, who are happy to have company.

A win-win practice that is on the rise.

REPORTING

This Wednesday opened the senior living room at the Porte de Versailles in Paris.

In the aisles, stands promote intergenerational collocations, which bring together a young person and an elderly person under the same roof.

The concept is on the rise.

It makes it possible to reduce the isolation and precariousness of the elderly while allowing students to find housing at a lower cost.

A give-and-take practice.

The start-up Colette has thus created 300 pairs in the Paris region. 

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"It feels good to have someone"

Clara, 23, lives with Elia, 70. The student moved into the apartment rented by Elia in Boulogne a fortnight ago. "I tell her about my days, my family. She tells me about hers," explains Clara. "It feels good to have someone. She must say to herself 'ohlala, what a word mill' that one," Elia quipped. "Not at all, I am also talkative. Often in the evening we eat together. At noon too", retorts Clara. 

This collocation brings company to Elia and an unbeatable price for Clara, who is completing her end-of-studies internship for her master's 2 in communication.

"I pay 270 euros per month to have my room, but also to have access to the living room, to the kitchen, to the bathroom. Apartments in Paris are easily 600 or 700 euros. After that, there isn't much left for to eat and to live. It is very advantageous, ”she explains. 

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An economically advantageous practice

It's an economical breath of fresh air for Elia.

"I only earn 800 euros per month of retirement and I pay 400 euros for the apartment. It's true that since I have someone, I sleep well at night, I no longer wake up with fits of telling me 'if something happened to me' "

Since 2020, the Elan law has governed the practice of intergenerational collocation.

Rental income must be modest in order to qualify for tax exemption.

The average duration of collocations of this type is 8 months.