A 65-year-old man living in a house-share near Salford, Manchester, has spoken out about the growing trend of older people sharing accommodation due to the housing crisis. He has been in his current home for four to five years, sharing with four other single men in their 40s and 50s. According to one flat-sharing site, there has been a 239% increase in 55- to 64-year-olds looking for house-shares since 2011.
The man, who works at Tesco, pays £100 a week including bills for a standard double room in a converted council house. He says he cannot afford his own place on a supermarket salary due to the cost of council tax, electricity, water and wifi. He considers himself lucky to have a landlord who has never increased his rent, even if he visits every other day.
He recalls that 15 years ago he had his own council flat, but gave it up when he was unemployed, as it was easy to find a new one. Now, he says, the welfare state has been eroded and council properties have been sold off. He notes that luxury apartments in Manchester start at £250,000, while average wages are around £20,000.
Despite the lack of community and the constant turnover of tenants, particularly eastern Europeans leaving due to low wages and high costs, he says his living situation works for him. He has central heating and a cleaner, and will not have to choose between food and heating this winter. He adds: “Housing insecurity is a trend that’s only got worse over the last 15 years. But I try not to dwell on it. Things could always be worse. Onwards and upwards, I say.”
