Manchester City Council could restrict co-living sector

Manchester City Council has revealed plans to restrict the development of the city’s emerging co-living sector

The city is concerned that the ‘untested’ shared housing model is not suitable and is drawing up a policy for co-living reflecting its change of attitude in its new local plan.

The co-living model is commonly found in larger metropolitan areas facing housing affordability crises and comprises clusters of apartments that share communal spaces and amenities.

The trend is growing but critics of the model argue that the typically small rooms and shared spaces are little more than glorified university dormitories.

A recent report to Manchester City Council’s executive committee read: ’Given that the product is untested in Manchester, it is not considered appropriate to approve a significant level of co-living accommodation.

’It is suggested that only a restricted amount can be supported in advance of a full policy approach being developed.’

The report notes that co-living has taken off in London because the market there is so squeezed, but that housing in Manchester is still relatively affordable.  

It continues: ’Against this backdrop, therefore, we do not believe that co-living is required, or appropriate, to address affordability pressures in Manchester, in the same way as it is in other American cities or London.’

The report claimed there was evidence that some units, mainly studios, are up to 50 per cent smaller than national space standards guidance.

This means the smaller co-living homes will ‘not generally be seen as appropriate’ for long-term residents, the council said. 

The document suggests limiting new schemes to the city centre and puts forward a list of criteria co-living schemes should meet.

Article adapted from original written by Ella Jessel for Architect's Journal