Intergenerational homesharing between older adults and university students: A scoping review

Housing needs for older people wishing to age in place and university students are different, yet both groups face unmet needs. To support older adults to remain in their homes longer, many countries have policies for ageing in place with in-home support. Housing affordability, a growing issue globally, leaves older adults and students vulnerable to homelessness or precarious housing. This scoping review aimed to explore the concept of intergenerational homesharing, where older adults share their home with a student.

Using the JBI scoping review methodology, we searched peer-reviewed and grey literature describing homesharing arrangements between people aged 50+ and university students. Searches across six databases identified 1092 publications between 1985 to 2024. Of these 63 sources were eligible for inclusion.

A range of programs have been developed internationally. Older adult participants were more often female, experiencing social isolation, and were apprehensive about the matching process, student behaviour, and financial impacts of programs. Interested students, also more often female, held concerns about loss of independence and differences in expectations. Homeshare participants reported decreased loneliness and isolation, and having enjoyed the experience more than anticipated. Of the few negative outcomes reported, students found support obligations higher than expected.

Homeshare programs are one solution to housing concerns for older adults and university students. Recommendations for homeshare organisations include careful consideration of the matching and relationship development phases, establishing clear written agreements of boundaries and expectations, supporting participants throughout their agreement, and agreement-ending processes.