8 domains of livability case study, intergenerational living in lyon

INTERGENERATIONAL LIVING LYON, RHÔNE-ALPES, FRANCE France's "One Roof, Two Generations" national initiative encourages older residents to rent empty rooms in their homes to

students and young professionals for free or at very affordable prices in exchange for help around the house. Camille Tokerud/Getty Images With just under half a million people, Lyon is

France's third largest city. Its greater metro area, with a population of about 2.2 million, is second only to Paris. For a select group of Lyon residents, a city housing program

creatively replicates the benefits of belonging to a multigenerational family household. 8 DOMAINS OF LIVABILITY Intergenerational housing in Lyon, France, is an example of work being done

in: * Domain 3: Housing As well as in: * DOMAIN 4: SOCIAL PARTICIPATION * DOMAIN 6: COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION * DOMAIN 7: RESPECT AND SOCIAL INCLUSION * DOMAIN 8: COMMUNITY AND HEALTH

SERVICES See more case studies » At a dozen independent living residences that serve older adults, college students are invited to move in and pay discounted rent in exchange for socializing

with the building's older residents. Another program helps fill rooms in the houses of older adults with empty nests. THE DETAILS There are 18 residences in the City of Lyon for

independent older adults, 12 of which welcome students to live on their top floors. The move was inspired by a national safety directive pre­venting older adults from living above a certain

floor level. A consortium of local universities helps match apartments and students, who need only commit to one hour a week of simply chatting with the older residents, playing board games

with them, accompanying them on walks or other activities. A city agency educates the students on aging issues and regularly checks in with them. This intergenerational, independent living

program builds on a 10-year-old national initia­tive — called "One Roof, Two Generations" — that encourages older residents to rent empty rooms in their homes to students and young

professionals for free or at very affordable prices. In exchange, the young people interact regularly with their hosts and assist with chores including shopping, cleaning and maintenance.

THE COSTS The City of Lyon renovated and adapted all 18 of its residences for older people at a cost of €40 million. The buildings include age-friendly accessible features, such as

handrails, grab bars and raised toilet seats. Two local nonprofits help administer the "One Roof, Two Generations" program. Depending on which organization a participant works

with, he or she will pay a one-time fee of €400 (about $435 U.S.) before moving into a rented room or welcoming a new housemate. The other group collects €20 to make a match, then charges

additional fees to provide services once cohabitation begins. THE RESULTS There are approximately 1,000 apartments in the 12 city-owned residences for older people that are taking part in

Lyon's program. About 100 apartments in these buildings are set aside for the students. Both older and younger people confirm that intergenerational living is an enriching experience.

Deputy Mayor Françoise Rivoire believes the program fundamentally changes life in Lyon for people as they age. "We encourage intergenerational living because we want our older people to

have choices — to live alone, to live with a student, to move into our independent residences, but to age in place for as long as possible," she says. "It's up to the older

generation to decide, but at least now they have options." RELATED RESOURCES _Page published August 2015_