We carried out a survey to learn why more adults are turning to multi-generational living arrangements. Read more at Stiltz.
60% of People Consider Multi-Generational Living
With rising living costs and the growing need to find alternative care arrangements for older relatives, many families are now choosing multi-generational living to stay connected. While living with extended family can offer a range of benefits, it also comes with its own unique challenges.
That’s why we surveyed 1,000 UK homeowners aged 35-54 to find out their attitudes towards multi-generational living.
The results provide a fascinating insight into the rising trend of family members banding together for support as they age.
Here’s a snapshot of some key findings from our survey:
Our survey revealed that people are clearly starting to see the benefits of multi-generational living, with 60.1% of adults saying they’d consider moving in with relatives. This way of living seems to be becoming more appealing — and it’s not just a passing trend.
In fact, 56.7% of people have noticed that more families are now open to the idea of living together. For some, it’s about sharing resources and supporting each other as life gets more expensive. For others, it’s about staying connected and building stronger family bonds.
Interestingly, we also found that 15.6% of respondents already live with other family members, showing that multi-generational homes are more common than you might think.
As the cost of living continues to remain high, with inflation increasing to 3% again in January 2025, more families are finding multi-generational living a practical solution.
According to our survey, 86.6% of people believe the cost of living crisis makes this lifestyle more appealing. With energy bills continuously becoming more expensive, sitting at 43% higher than just three years ago, many see living with relatives as a way to ease financial pressures.
Housing affordability is also causing the number of multi-generational homes to increase, with prices sitting 2.9% higher than the previous year. A staggering 84.1% of respondents think young people are now living with their parents because they can’t afford to buy their own homes. This has led to delays in people moving out or buying property, with 13.7% admitting they’ve had to put off purchasing a home due to rising costs.
Of course, this isn’t just affecting younger generations. Older adults are also feeling the pinch, too. 41% said they would bring an elderly relative into their home to save on care home costs, while 18.7% cited a lack of good-quality care facilities as another reason for considering multi-generational living. With care home fees steadily rising in recent years, many are now looking to stay in the family home instead, where they can provide direct care and support.
Multi-generational living is also a great way to build stronger family connections.
According to our survey, 70.6% of people believe that living with extended family helps strengthen relationships, and it’s easy to see why. With more families living under one roof, there are more opportunities to bond and share experiences.
In fact, many see this arrangement as an emotional lifeline. 30.7% of adults said they would be open to multi-generational living to provide better emotional support for themselves or a loved one. Having family around — especially when dealing with health challenges or life changes — can provide a sense of security and take the load off your shoulders.
Not only does it help with emotional well-being, it can also make a huge difference financially. Our research found that 91.5% of people believe that multi-generational living arrangements can help families save on household expenses, including rent, utilities, food shopping, and even shared transportation.
While multi-generational living can be rewarding for several reasons, it’s not without its challenges. Many people value their independence, with 66.9% of our survey respondents saying they’d still prefer to live alone if given the choice.
Having space to relax and unwind is essential at any age, and sharing your home with extended family can feel like a big adjustment. So, it’s no surprise that privacy is one of the main concerns for multi-generational households.
Nearly 46% (45.9%) of the people we surveyed worried about losing their personal space, which can be tricky when you’re all under one roof. Living with family can also bring its own set of conflicts, with 22.7% of respondents mentioning concerns about household disagreements.
When it comes to multi-generational living, having a home that works for everyone is key — especially when you’re sharing a space with older family members with mobility needs. This is where home adaptations can help to ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe.
Nearly 1 in 10 people in our survey expressed worries about their home not being suitable for additional family members. Thankfully, this can be fixed with a few simple modifications that can make a big impact. From widening doorways for wheelchair access to installing handrails or a home lift, there are plenty of ways to make your home more accessible to everyone.
If you’re among the 45% of older adults concerned about climbing the stairs, a home lift provides easy access to upper floors without needing costly relocation to a bungalow. Other changes, like lowering kitchen counters or adding grab bars in the bathroom, can also make everyday tasks easier for older relatives.
The fact that 88.3% of respondents would consider making home modifications if an elderly relative moved in shows how much families are willing to invest in creating a more inclusive and supportive home environment.
Although 54.9% said funding these adaptations is a concern, funding options — like the Disabled Facilities Grant — are available to help with the costs. A further 34.6% felt that space limitations would restrict their ability to adapt their homes, which is where space-saving modifications like our range of Stiltz home lifts can be a game-changer. With the smallest footprint on the market, they slot neatly into unused spaces to transform your home for all ages.
“This familial support often comes in the form of helping with a house deposit or letting them live at home for longer so they can save up to pay the deposit themselves. This shift is likely to lead to more multi-generational homes as house prices don’t show any signs of reducing any time soon,” says Mike Lord, CEO at Stiltz Home Lifts.
In addition, the rising cost of care homes is putting a strain on elderly people who may not have enough money in savings or pensions to afford them. On average, full-time care facilities charge around £65,832 per year, or £1,266 each week — an increase of 88% compared to prices in 2020.
Mike adds, “As care becomes increasingly unaffordable for many, more families are likely to consider multi-generational living as a practical solution. It’s a win-win for everyone — older family members get the support of live-in carers, while younger family members benefit from free childcare, making it easier for them to keep working without the added costs.”
Our research has shown a rising interest in multi-generational living across the UK. Whether it’s to save on housing costs, share financial burdens, or care for older relatives, we’ve uncovered a growing need for accessible and adaptable living solutions.
At Stiltz, we know that the secret to creating multi-generational homes is ensuring that they are comfortable, safe, and accessible for everyone. Contact us today to learn more about the best home lift for your home.
Methodology
Stiltz Home Lifts commissioned a survey of 1,000 UK-based homeowners aged 35-54 via the third-party platform Pollfish in March 2025.
This age range was chosen as they’re the most likely to make decisions about elderly parents and their own children, or they may already be supporting ageing parents or considering home adaptations.
The survey contained the following questions:
Easy to arrange lots of information, No problems with fitting, payment taken in stages, last payment when job was completed. Everyone was friendly from start to finish.
My experience with Stiltz Homelifts. Just over a month ago, I had my Stiltz lift installed and I am so pleased with it. The workmen that came and fitted it were very professional and knew what they were doing. They were so professional I would not hesitate to recommend Stiltz lifts to anybody.
Great looking product, knowledgeable sales people, fitters work clean quickly and polite. Definitely recommend.
Great stylist lift, had for six months without a hitch. Installed by company staff not subcontractors. Cannot fault the lift, buying experience, installation, service. Good company ethos and made in UK.
From the very beginning with the initial construction to the finished product. I have never seen such polite men with an equal work ethic. They cleaned as they went each day. The pets were never in harm. The finished product is awesome. Couldn’t be more pleased
Excellent from beginning to end – and beyond.
Everybody we dealt with at Stiltz was very helpful and efficient, from the initial meeting with Nick Sale, the sales rep, thorough technical inspection, the builders, installers, plumber, electrician, and excellent follow up service and attention. My husband’s life is transformed and mine is much easier. Thank you Stiltz.
Elegant lift, promptly installed by careful and tidy fitters who removed their rubbish the following day. A fair price and an envied addition to our home.
I have been astounded and gratified by the levels of service we have received from every member of the Stiltz teams we have dealt with. A superb lift with exceptional service!
An excellent company from the first contact to the completed project. All personnel were friendly and very polite but stayed extremely professional throughout. Having been in the construction industry for over 40 years I was aware the preparation work was carried out to a high standard by the best of trades people. The lift itself can not be faulted both the operation and aesthetics.
The service was better than 1st class. It was excellent in every way. We could not be more pleased with everything Stiltz applied it’s self to in any way. We would award 6 stars at the very least.
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