Housemates, inmates and living mates: communal living in Australia

Abstract

Australia's population is transitioning from traditional family homes to communal living, in either house sharing, institutionally provided housing or, as part of Intentional Community Living Arrangements (ICLAs). Between 2001 and 2016 there was a 42.2% increase to almost five million people living communally. This paper investigates communal living in Australia using data from the 2006, 2011 and 2016 Censuses and introduces ICLAs: group dwellings characterised by five or more unrelated individuals who intentionally combine their efforts in a self-governed manner and share aspects of living for collective community benefit. Unlike other forms of communal housing, ICLAs are not identified in the Census. To address this deficit, the paper draws upon ICLA association websites and online questionnaire responses to estimate a resident population of 25,000 members across 1700 communities. Growing public awareness of the benefits of communal living is likely to place pressure upon planners to facilitate a range of communal housing types. ICLAs have a number of attributes that make them a sustainable form of collaborative, communal housing. The adoption of the ICLA model will, however, require a shift in attitudes among planners and changes to planning regulations.