Family Live Living Generation One's Build Homes Small

As people live longer, American families are "increasingly" (more and more) "turning to" (deciding to have, use, or rely on) "multi-generational living arrangements" in which members of more than one generation of a family choose to live together. Sometimes this is because the families want to "foster" (develop) close relationships, but often, it is for more practical reasons, such as needing assistance with childcare or simply "living expenses" (the cost of all the things one needs for daily living).

Some families just invite the other generation to live in a "spare bedroom" (a guest room; a bedroom that is not used by the family members). However, because Americans value their independence, they often want "separate" (independent) "living quarters" (the rooms where one spends one's time). So "developers" (people who design and build homes and communities) are exploring new housing options.

Some new homes are being built with "in-law suites," or small apartments within a "single family home" (a home designed for one family to live in). This allows the "in-laws" (the mother and father of one's spouse) to have their own bedroom, bathroom, living area, and even kitchen, but still have easy access to the "common areas" (shared spaces) of the rest of the family.

Some families "prefer" (like more) to have a little more space, so they might build a separate "unit" (housing structure) on their existing property. This is usually a building that has all the "features" (characteristics) of a small apartment, but is just a few feet from the main home.