Lyon, grappling with a worsening housing crisis, has become a testing ground for innovative shared living solutions. Intergenerational cohabitation projects, such as those run by TIM&COLETTE, pair students seeking affordable housing with seniors who have spare rooms. This arrangement goes beyond sharing space: it fosters daily interaction, mutual support, and genuine companionship, helping to combat loneliness among the elderly and housing insecurity for students.
Cécile Michel, director of TIM&COLETTE, notes that regular communal events and workshops help build strong bonds and prepare participants for shared living. In central Lyon, retired teacher François Catrin, 77, has hosted students like Elisabeta Gedo, 38, for years. Their relationship has evolved into a deep friendship, with both sharing experiences and learning from each other.
The housing crisis in Lyon is acute: rents rose 3.3% in 2024, with the average rent for a 32 m² apartment reaching €723, making it especially tough for students and retirees with modest incomes. Demand for intergenerational housing far outstrips supply-TIM&COLETTE received over 1,000 applications this year but could only place 160 students.
In the suburbs, couples like Georges and Agnès Negre have welcomed students into their homes, finding fulfillment and security in the process. Students like Clara Marchenay appreciate the affordable rent, convenient location, and family atmosphere.
The matching process involves careful selection, introductions, and contracts ranging from a few months to two years. The organization also supports participants through challenges, including family concerns or difficulties adjusting.
Lyon’s model is seen as a blueprint for other cities, especially as nearly 40% of people over 75 in Lyon live alone, while the city hosts more than 175,000 students. Intergenerational housing not only addresses the housing shortage but also builds community and bridges generational divides.
What is the value of generations coming together in programs like this?
“When I first joined this intergenerational housing program in Lyon, I was simply looking for a place to stay,” says Elizabeta Guido, a 38-year-old political science student from Romania. “As an international student, housing was both expensive and hard to find. I never imagined that this experience would become one of the most meaningful parts of my life in France.”
She continues: “Living with François, a retired math teacher, gave me more than just a room. It gave me perspective. We cook together, we talk about life, art, and the city. I ask him for advice, and he shares stories that make me think deeply about time, about aging, about what really matters. It’s a mutual exchange that goes far beyond generations.”
“I believe the real value of programs like this lies in the emotional bridge it builds,” Elizabeta reflects. “In a fast-paced city, it gave me a sense of home. I feel supported, inspired, and connected. These moments, these shared days, will stay with me forever. They’ve shaped me in ways no university course ever could.”
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