Extended Families and Their Housing in the US

Abstract

Household extension-'doubling-up'-would appear to have straightforward implications for housing policy as a status to avoid, particularly in a country like the US where independent living is prized. This is indeed the implication drawn by housing advocates who suggest that doubling-up represents the 'hidden homeless'. On the other hand, it has also been argued that government policies (e.g. zoning and occupancy standards) are too rigidly drawn in that they disallow or discourage household extension. This argument is often rooted in a recognition of the increase in non-nuclear families. Both of these positions suffer from inadequate information about the various forms of household extension and the housing characteristics of extended households. This paper presents a taxonomy of household extension; a brief description of the income, race and ethnicity characteristics of extended households in the US; and a description of the housing characteristics of extended households. Housing policy implications are discussed, but there is a strong need for more detailed research on the housing of extended households before detailed policy recommendations should be developed.