Co-Living in DC: A Fresh Look at Affordable City Living
As Washington D.C. faces rising rents, co-living offers an innovative housing solution. These professionally managed shared spaces provide a practical way to enjoy city life with built-in community and amenities, directly addressing the affordability challenges many residents encounter.
Understanding Co-Living: Beyond Traditional Roommates
Co-living streamlines shared living. Residents rent private bedrooms within larger apartments, sharing common areas like kitchens and living rooms. Unlike typical roommate setups, co-living often includes professional management, furnished units, utilities (WiFi, cleaning), and a structured vetting process for roommates. This model fosters social connection and stress-free living.
A DC Success Story: Jett Jasper at Colette
Jett Jasper, 37, moved to D.C. for a job and chose co-living at Colette, a local development. For $1,400 a month—well below D.C.’s median rent of $2,155—Jett enjoys a furnished room in a five-bedroom apartment, complete with cable, WiFi, and bi-weekly cleaning. Colette handled roommate vetting, offering peace of mind beyond a typical apartment search.
Tackling DC’s Housing Crisis with Innovative Models
Co-living addresses a pressing economic need. With nearly half of renters nationwide “rent-burdened” in 2023, creative solutions are crucial for cities like Washington D.C. to maintain housing accessibility.
Office-to-Residential Conversions: A Potential Game Changer
Converting vacant office buildings into co-living spaces presents a significant opportunity. The rise of remote work has left many commercial properties underutilized. In 2025, nearly 71,000 apartment units are being developed from office space nationally, marking a substantial increase.
Gensler, in partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts, studied a model that could cut conversion costs by 25-35%. By preserving original office structures and centralizing amenities (like dorms), extensive rerouting of plumbing is avoided. Washington D.C. was identified as a prime candidate for such projects, potentially creating truly affordable alternatives.
Co-Living vs. Traditional Shared Apartment
| Feature | Co-Living Apartment | Traditional Shared Apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Private Space | Individual bedroom | Individual bedroom |
| Shared Space | Managed common areas | Tenant-maintained common areas |
| Amenities Included | Furnished, utilities, cleaning | Unfurnished, utilities separate |
| Roommate Vetting | By management | Tenant’s responsibility |
| Cost Potential | Lower than market median | Variable, can be higher than co-living |
What’s Next for Co-Living in Washington, D.C.?
While Gensler’s office-to-residential conversion model is conceptual, its potential is clear. Existing ground-up co-living developments like Colette continue to grow, meeting D.C. residents’ demand for flexible, community-rich, and affordable living. This evolving urban housing landscape suggests co-living will play a vital role in D.C.’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions About Co-Living
- Is co-living just for young people?
While popular with younger demographics, its benefits of community and affordability appeal broadly to anyone seeking flexible living. - How does co-living compare to finding roommates yourself?
Co-living offers professional vetting, furnished spaces, and included utilities/cleaning, significantly reducing personal hassle. - Can co-living help with DC’s high rent?
Yes, examples like Jett Jasper show co-living can provide housing well below D.C.’s median rent, making city living more accessible. - Are office-to-residential co-living spaces available now?
The office conversion model is conceptual. However, new purpose-built co-living developments are already active and expanding in D.C.
For D.C. locals, co-living offers a practical and appealing path to affordable, amenity-rich, and community-focused living without compromising the urban experience.
Co Living Solves DC Housing Affordability
