Is co-living the answer to the UK’s housing crisis?

Co-living is a relatively new concept, but whilst the sector is still in its infancy, there are strong signs of growth.

Knight Frank’s latest Co-Living Report indicates that the total number of operational co-living homes has increased fivefold since 2019 to 7,540, with a further 13,483 units under construction or with planning permission granted.

An increasing volume of institutional capital is targeting the sector, with nearly £1 billion invested in funding or acquiring co-living developments since 2020, accounting for a fifth of the total invested in the UK Build to Rent market.

A clear supply/demand imbalance in towns and cities across the country is driving this growth, with a growing population, urbanisation and decreasing household sizes all playing a part.

This week, Hospitality Magazine took an in-depth look at this burgeoning sector, highlighting stand out projects including our own The Rex in Kingston. Launching in 2025, The Rex will
provide a residents’ lounge, communal kitchens and dining rooms, a wellness centre, co-working spaces and a rooftop terrace.

It will also be the first building of its kind in the UK to achieve a full suite of the highest possible sustainability credentials, including BREEAM Outstanding, Fitwel 3*, WiredScore Platinum and ActiveScore Platinum.

Read the full article on Hospitality Investor here.