Rising housing costs, inflation, and increased caregiving needs are compelling more Americans to pool resources and live under one roof.
The latest edition of the National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report revealed that multigenerational buying was at an all-time high, with 17 percent of homes purchased last year being a multigenerational household (Multigenerational homes are defined as households. With more than one generation, such as adult siblings, adult children, and/or grandparents.)
Over the past decade, a noticeable shift has occurred in the generational breakdown of multigenerational home buyers. Gen-X buyers, often referred to as “the sandwich generation” in the housing market, have increased their share of this market from 12 percent in 2013 to 21 percent today.
Older millennial buyers appear to be following suit with a steady increase in multigenerational home buying, growing from 9 percent in 2018 (the first recorded year of “older millennial” buyers) to 12 percent today.
In 2024, a notable 36 percent of homebuyers cited “cost savings” as the primary reason for purchasing a multigenerational home—a significant increase from just 15 percent in 2015. There has also been a rise in adult children residing with their parents, contributing to the increase in multigenerational home buying. Twenty-one percent of respondents in 2024 mentioned children over the age of 18 moving back into the house as a reason for their multigenerational home purchase, up from 11 percent in 2015. Additionally, in 2024, 20 percent of respondents reported that their adult children or relatives had never left home, compared to 7 percent in 2015.
Lennar, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, has positioned itself at the forefront of this trend with its “Next Gen” designs. These floor plans are tailored for modern multi-generational living, offering a separate suite with its own entrance, kitchenette, living area, bedroom, and bath — all within a single structure but giving both privacy and togetherness.
In Colorado Springs, this concept is being built in Lennar’s Percheron community. Percheron is a master-planned neighborhood where Lennar recently opened the Madison plan.
This floor plan features a private suite with a separate entrance, living area, kitchenette, bedroom, and bathroom. Two bedrooms are located near the front of the home, leading to an inviting open-concept floor plan where the kitchen, living, and dining areas meet. At the back of the home is the luxurious owner’s suite, offering direct access to a full bathroom and a walk-in closet.
Classic Homes is also responding to this multi-generational wave in its Greenways at Sand Creek development. In Greenways, Classic Homes launched a Portrait Collection in 2024 that supports multi-generational living by offering three separate floor plans with three optional Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) plans. These ADUs add about 560–600 square feet of independent living space, giving homeowners the flexibility to house parents or adult children. Because the ADU sits under the same roof yet maintains a separate entrance, it lets family members live close while preserving privacy.
The popularity of multi-generational homes in Colorado Springs reflects a broader national shift. Builders are increasingly designing communities that cater to diverse family structures, blending private living spaces with shared neighborhoods that support both financial practicality and family connection. As more families navigate the complexities of modern life —balancing caregiving, affordability, and independence — these flexible home designs are becoming more than a trend; they’re a long-term lifestyle solution.
