Browsing by Author "Hyödynmaa, Mia"

The topic of the thesis is shared housing, in which the apartment is shared voluntarily by people that are not all family members. Shared housing is often associated with young people and students and is thus seen as a temporary form of housing. Indicative statistics, social and traditional media, and corporate behavior provide indications of an increase in the popularity or attractiveness of shared housing. This thesis sheds light on shared housing as a phenomenon and brings it into the discussion around community housing and housing diversity. In the thesis, I focus on shared housing (1) as a personal experience of home and (2) as a form of housing outside the normative ideal home. Earlier research on shared housing has suggested it is related to economic realities, as housing is becoming more expensive in big cities, but at the same time social norms related to housing are changing (Heath et al. 2018; Maalsen 2019). In addition to economic reasons, living with other people is a major reason for choosing shared housing and the success of it depends to a large extent on the social relations inside the home (Heath et al. 2018). The thesis is based on critical geography of home. In humanistic geography home has been understood as an ideal and fundamental place connected to feelings of security and belonging. However, home can also be a place of negative emotions, and critical geography of home (Blunt & Dowling 2006) understands home as a broader concept and as an originator and maintainer of normative structures. A home is not only a material place, but also an imaginary. It is also political and multi-scalar. The research was carried out following the ethnographic research tradition. It took place in three research homes in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The methods used were thematic interviews, some of which were group interviews, and participatory observation. In the analysis of the data, I aim for consistency and transparency. The analysis focuses on four themes: 1. The role of the physical characteristics of the dwelling, 2. The role of social relationships, 3. Economic reasons and sharing of goods, 4. Normative assumptions and prejudices. Based on this research, a shared house or flat can feel like home. The physical characteristics of the dwelling as well as the presence of other people create the feeling of home. The reasons for choosing shared housing are complex, but affordability and the desire to live with others are both recognized as driving forces. The prejudices associated with shared housing have partly diminished, but it is still connected to young people. Normative perceptions of home and housing became visible during the study and the family was connected to home. The presence of flat mates can bring family-like feelings of security and caring, as well as everyday social interactions to home. Shared housing can enable higher quality housing at a lower cost, but the functioning of interpersonal relationships is essential for the success of shared housing.