In today’s economic climate, the rising cost of home ownership has become a significant challenge for single parents. With mortgage interest rates reaching an average of 7.12% in August of this year—a significant increase from the 5.34% average the U.S. reported at the end of 2022—typical mortgage financing may no longer be a viable option for many single parents looking to buy a home.
That’s why some single moms are turning to less-traditional approaches to home ownership—including an innovative solution that has been dubbed “mommunes.”
What is a Mommune?
Put simply, a Mommune—a play on the words “mom” and “commune”—is a place where single mothers come together to live under one roof and share the expenses associated with home ownership.
By sharing the cost of housing, single moms who choose to live in a Mommune can significantly reduce their financial burden by sharing housing and living expenses including mortgage or rent payments, utilities, groceries, and even childcare.
How can living in a Mommune help single moms?
Living in a Mommune has plenty of advantages, from saving money on housing costs every month to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for themselves and their children.
Single mothers who choose to cohabitate with one another are also able to provide one another emotional support and companionship, in addition to increasing their own financial stability. They can share parenting and childcare duties, and pool resources like cars and household appliances to reduce their individual expenses even more.
Additional responsibilities that can be shared include cooking and cleaning. Ultimately, when women choose to live in a Mommune they are able to create a supportive and nurturing environment for their children and empower one another along the way.
How do I find other single moms to live with?
While there are plenty of ways to make connections with other single moms and single parents through social media and other means, the CoAbode organization is a web-based platform that strives to connect single moms to one another.
While their main focus is on connecting single moms looking to share housing with one another, their Friend Circle allows users to connect socially with single moms closer to home. Single moms can use the Friend Circle program to make friends, start babysitting and car-pooling co-ops, and find support from other single moms in their area.
Do Mommunes really work?
The short answer here is: yes, mommunes really work, and you can find a number of success stories on the CoAbode website and beyond that say so. “Mommunes” allow single moms to save money on housing and utility costs, leaving them more money to invest in their children’s futures or pursue their own dreams.
But mommunes are about more than just financial savings. Single moms who live together are able to build connections and surround themselves with like-minded women who understand the challenges they face as a single mother. They can lean on one another during difficult times, celebrate milestones and important events together, and help each other navigate the challenges of single parenthood.
Mommunes are a great option for single mothers who are looking to save money on their housing expenses, and want to connect with other like-minded single parents. Tune into this month’s livestream episode of Single Mom Sessions with Mia Taylor with special guest, Author & Consultant, Holly Harper as featured on Today Show, The New York Times & Washington Post. Tune in to watch this exciting episode on September 18th at 1pm/PST, 3pm/CST & 4pm/EST.
Photo Courtesy of Holly Harper
You can learn more about home sharing opportunities on at CoAbode.
