**6. Discussion**

Based on the interpretation of the results, two profiles of individuals representing a typical representative in each study group were formed. A typical representative of young people is a 25-year-old individual who still has the status of a student, lives with his/her parents, in a household with three additional members whose average monthly income is around EUR 2000. Given that he/she still lives with his/her parents, his/her real estate is fully financed by his/ her parents, which represents the cost of maintaining the property and other living expenses. Owning a property represents an independence, once in the future he/she wants to become the owner of a real estate, expressed is the desire to live in a house, which he/she intends to finance with a loan, or he/she will share this cost with his/her partner. For his/her property, he/she is willing to pay from EUR 100.001 to EUR 150.000. In order to afford it, he/she intends to save on personal consumption or holidays. For the property he/she would be willing to pay more only if it is close to the workplace, otherwise not. He/she has not yet considered the possibilities for renting or buying a non-profit apartment, he/she is also not familiar with the conditions in this area. He/she is ready to move abroad to improve the current situation. In order to become independent, he/she is not ready to move to older relatives or strangers, as he/she would feel uncomfortable and interdependent in such an accommodation. As the most important factor that would influence the purchase or renting of real estate, he/she sees the vicinity of the job, school, and other service activities, and he/she will also pay attention to the price. As a reason that would lead to purchasing or renting of a real estate, he/she mentions the job, independence (leaving the home of parents), and higher incomes. He/she is critical toward the variety of offers concerning various accommodation options for the younger and older populations as the vulnerable low-income groups. He/she thinks that the state should give more attention and resources to young people, to take action in the area of youth unemployment and real estate prices. He/she does not save for a safe and comfortable old age.

was found that 42% of respondents thought about this, and 58% of them did not think about it yet. Respondents also thought about possibilities of renting/buying a sheltered apartment than moving into a retirement home, but share of those was low; the results show that only 16% of respondents thought about this, and 84% of them did not think about it yet. Such a low percentage can be attributed to the poor information among the elderly about the sheltered apartments, or if they are familiar with this, they only know that it is a somewhat more expensive form of accommodation and, in the case of low incomes, they do not even think about it. The problem could also be the rarity of this form of accommodation, because sheltered apartments are not in every larger city. Thirty-three percent of respondents are familiar with the possibilities of solving a housing problem with moving to a retirement home or a sheltered home, but 67% are unaware of this. The results indicate a relatively low level of knowledge of this area, and this may be one of the reasons why older people have such a strong resistance to different forms of living. It was believed that greater and better information of the elderly would change their view of different forms of living and make it easier for them to make a

It was also found that for the elderly, their property primarily means security (40%) and an important life achievement (19%), and, consequently, they are very strongly attached to it, as shown by the results on the question of where to move if they would be forced to move from the current accommodation (46% answered that it would be hard to move away from the current property due to a sense of attachment to it), the elderly perceive their property as a legacy to their descendants. In this question, for example, the younger people pointed out the fact that for them property means primarily independence (34%), but in the second place, they have also chosen security (29%). On the basis of the obtained results, it could be concluded

The elderly were also asked whether they had been urging/persuading/intimidating/threatening (verbally, non-verbally) that they should leave the current accommodation for the purpose of moving away, for example, to a retirement home, a sheltered apartment, and that after their departure, they obtain the property right on the real estate or right to manage with it to some other person. It was found that this occurred in two cases (2%), and others did not have

In the end, as well as younger people, also the elderly were asked for an opinion on whether if there is enough variety of accommodation in the country for the younger and the elderly as one of vulnerable groups with low incomes. The results show that 92% of them think that there are not enough options, and 8% think that there are enough. The elderly, in particular, want more measures from the state (e.g., higher incomes, cheaper care services in retirement homes, financial assistance to those who would like to stay at home and adjust their housing accordingly).

Based on the interpretation of the results, two profiles of individuals representing a typical representative in each study group were formed. A typical representative of young people

decision or go to one of these accommodations.

134 Housing

that both generations assign great importance to a real estate.

this experience (98%) or maybe they did not want to tell about it.

**6. Discussion**

A typical representative of the elderly is a 71-year-old individual who lives in his/her own home alone or together with his/her partner. The average monthly income of a household varies between EUR 1000 and EUR 1500. His/her accommodation is financed partly by his/her own funds, partly with the funds of his/her children or together with a partner, and in some cases only with his/her own funds. The costs of maintaining the property represent between 21 and 40% of the monthly income of the household. He/she solved his/her first housing problem between the ages of 20 and 30, partly by his/her own funds, partly by bank funds. Currently, he/she does not need assistance with personal care. He/she was not persuaded or threatened in any way that he/she should leave the current accommodation for the purpose of moving out, for example, to a retirement home, a sheltered apartment, in order to acquire the property right or the right to manage it to someone else after he/she leaves the property. Because of distrust to foreigners, he/she is not too enthusiastic about moving to a younger person or a family with whom he/she would live. He/she would be much more happier if a relative would relocate to him/her. He/she is even more prepared to do this than to move to his/her own children or grandchildren. He/she is not ready to move out of the current accommodation, especially because he/she is very attached to it. For the elderly person, the property signifies primarily security, a home in the true sense of the word. He/she is not ready to move away, mainly because of his/her age, unknown people, and unknown environment. In case if he/she had to leave the current accommodation, it would be a disease, and he/she would move to a retirement home. He/she has not considered accommodation in retirement home, even less sheltered apartments, and he/she is not familiar with the conditions in this area. He/

she is critical toward the variety of offers concerning various accommodation options for the younger and older populations as the vulnerable low-income groups. Mostly, he/she wants the measures and assistance from the state, such as higher incomes, cheaper care services in retirement homes or assistance in accommodating the dwelling for those who would like to stay at home.

We completely confirmed also this hypothesis because the study, which was carried out on a sample of 108 elderly people aged 60 and over, shows that the elderly would move out from the current accommodation primarily in case of illness or inability to take care of themselves (53%); the other reasons are higher costs (10%). We also received four individual responses, which also include illnesses, higher costs, and family relationships. The literature we have studied also supports the findings of our research. Ref. [32] notes that only 6% of the elderly move to a retirement home because of inadequate living conditions in their own homes, and 60–70% for health reasons, but only in cases if it is absolutely essential. The same reference also warns that when health problems arise or when unpaid bills begin to accumulate and the elderly finds out that this cannot go on anymore, it would be maybe too late to find other possibilities of living. Also, Ref. [46], in research on housing and quality of life of the elderly, points out that too high operating costs are seen as a problem. Another survey was conducted in 2014 on the basis of an analysis of residents' homes for the elderly [47]. The average age of respondents was 79 years in that study. It was found that among those who live in the retirement home, 74% of respondents decided to move in because of the care, as they could no longer take care of themselves. Research studied also the residents of sheltered apartments. The average age of respondents was 75 years. The results showed that residents of sheltered apartments decided for this form of living because they considered that this is the best alternative to retirement homes (38%). In addition, they were so independent that they could take care of themselves. The reason for leaving former owner-occupied apartment was also the

Housing for Younger and Older Populations http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.78039 137

costs of maintaining their own real estate (30%), especially when their relatives left.

**Hypothesis 3.1**: *The younger population takes a quicker decision to move/abandon (sell) the current real estate (place of residence) due to relocation into a financially/cost-effective variant/form of residence* 

We completely confirmed this hypothesis, because on the basis of the findings of a survey conducted on 108 elderly people aged 60 and over, we found that older people are not ready to move from the current accommodation (81%). For older people, relocation would be very stressful (29%), and most would hardly move out because of a feeling of attachment to their living environment (46%). The willingness of elderly to migrate abroad is also low; only 9% would move (91% would not do this). It was found that the main reason for this are unknown people and unknown environment (49%), and the migration abroad would be a stressful and a demanding organizational process (17%). Also, nine individual responses were received, which, as a reason why older people do not like to move, emphasize age and attachment to place. The results show that the elderly would hardly leave their accommodation, they are attached to it, and also on their own country they want to move only in a familiar environment and do not want to be surrounded by unknown people. The results of our research were also confirmed by the study on the housing needs of pensioners and other elderly people presented in Ref. [36]. On the basis of the obtained results, the study concluded that the vast majority of elderly live in their own real estate; in the house 63% of old people and 30% in the dwelling. Only 18% of respondents thought about relocation. The same study also showed that about 13% of the elderly thought about moving to dwellings for the elderly, including retirement homes, renting dwellings for the elderly, or sheltered dwellings. Also, research [34] noted that the elderly were not impressed with the relocation. According to that study, the

Based on the findings, the second hypothesis was fully confirmed.

*than the older population.*

At the beginning of the study, two hypotheses were set, the first one referring to the younger, the second to the older population. The third hypothesis has been broken down into two subhypotheses that relate to both populations simultaneously. After reviewing, examining literature, and analyzing our own research, we will try to support or reject them.

**Hypothesis 1**: *For the younger population, the problem represents economic and administrative reasons, since it makes it difficult for them to leave their parents' home into their first independent (own or rented) real estate.*

The condition for the independence of young people is economic independence. A large percentage of young people in Slovenia are unemployed. In July 2017, there were 84,674 registered unemployed persons in Slovenia. Of those 35,011 or 41.3% of registered unemployed persons were (young) persons [42] who were aged 15–39 years old. The vast majority of those who are employed occupy lower income brackets. Depending on this, they are quite dependent on parents and supported by the public system. Ref. [43] also found that economic reasons are the problem in youth independence, because only those who have regular employment are mostly interested in buying real estate. Similarly, Ref. [44] draws attention to the fact that young people who have a job and are convinced that they are secure in it are ready to make a decision on buying a property. The study in this reference also examined the reasons why young people still live with their parents, and came to the conclusion that because there have been insufficient financial resources and because there are more financially advantages if they live with their parents. Also, the results of our research, carried out on the sample of 115 young people aged between 18 and 35, show the importance of economic reasons, because on the way to independence young people must have employment (37%) and higher income (17%). All three factors (independence, employment, and income) are interdependent and do not work without one another. The second obstacle on the way to independence is also the relatively inaccessible conditions that young people must fulfill if they want to succeed in a call for purchasing or renting of non-profit dwelling. There are few non-profit rental apartments available in Slovenia, and rents are high for them. Because of a housing policy that prefers young families, young people who are single practically do not have the possibility of renting a public apartment with non-profit rent, which leads to the problem of independence. According to the survey, Ref. [45] claims that administrative reasons are a problem in young people's emancipation, adding that a four-member family may be waiting for 4 years or more, but the waiting period still increasing depends on the frequency of the publication of the call. It is also noticed that landlords of market dwellings often reject young families and couples, that is, young people in general, which makes it even more difficult for them to leave their parents' home.

Based on the findings, the first hypothesis was fully confirmed.

**Hypothesis 2**: *The elderly would move out of the current accommodation only in the event of excessive maintenance costs or reduced autonomy in housework and personal care.*

We completely confirmed also this hypothesis because the study, which was carried out on a sample of 108 elderly people aged 60 and over, shows that the elderly would move out from the current accommodation primarily in case of illness or inability to take care of themselves (53%); the other reasons are higher costs (10%). We also received four individual responses, which also include illnesses, higher costs, and family relationships. The literature we have studied also supports the findings of our research. Ref. [32] notes that only 6% of the elderly move to a retirement home because of inadequate living conditions in their own homes, and 60–70% for health reasons, but only in cases if it is absolutely essential. The same reference also warns that when health problems arise or when unpaid bills begin to accumulate and the elderly finds out that this cannot go on anymore, it would be maybe too late to find other possibilities of living. Also, Ref. [46], in research on housing and quality of life of the elderly, points out that too high operating costs are seen as a problem. Another survey was conducted in 2014 on the basis of an analysis of residents' homes for the elderly [47]. The average age of respondents was 79 years in that study. It was found that among those who live in the retirement home, 74% of respondents decided to move in because of the care, as they could no longer take care of themselves. Research studied also the residents of sheltered apartments. The average age of respondents was 75 years. The results showed that residents of sheltered apartments decided for this form of living because they considered that this is the best alternative to retirement homes (38%). In addition, they were so independent that they could take care of themselves. The reason for leaving former owner-occupied apartment was also the costs of maintaining their own real estate (30%), especially when their relatives left.

Based on the findings, the second hypothesis was fully confirmed.

she is critical toward the variety of offers concerning various accommodation options for the younger and older populations as the vulnerable low-income groups. Mostly, he/she wants the measures and assistance from the state, such as higher incomes, cheaper care services in retirement homes or assistance in accommodating the dwelling for those who would like to

At the beginning of the study, two hypotheses were set, the first one referring to the younger, the second to the older population. The third hypothesis has been broken down into two subhypotheses that relate to both populations simultaneously. After reviewing, examining

**Hypothesis 1**: *For the younger population, the problem represents economic and administrative reasons, since it makes it difficult for them to leave their parents' home into their first independent (own* 

The condition for the independence of young people is economic independence. A large percentage of young people in Slovenia are unemployed. In July 2017, there were 84,674 registered unemployed persons in Slovenia. Of those 35,011 or 41.3% of registered unemployed persons were (young) persons [42] who were aged 15–39 years old. The vast majority of those who are employed occupy lower income brackets. Depending on this, they are quite dependent on parents and supported by the public system. Ref. [43] also found that economic reasons are the problem in youth independence, because only those who have regular employment are mostly interested in buying real estate. Similarly, Ref. [44] draws attention to the fact that young people who have a job and are convinced that they are secure in it are ready to make a decision on buying a property. The study in this reference also examined the reasons why young people still live with their parents, and came to the conclusion that because there have been insufficient financial resources and because there are more financially advantages if they live with their parents. Also, the results of our research, carried out on the sample of 115 young people aged between 18 and 35, show the importance of economic reasons, because on the way to independence young people must have employment (37%) and higher income (17%). All three factors (independence, employment, and income) are interdependent and do not work without one another. The second obstacle on the way to independence is also the relatively inaccessible conditions that young people must fulfill if they want to succeed in a call for purchasing or renting of non-profit dwelling. There are few non-profit rental apartments available in Slovenia, and rents are high for them. Because of a housing policy that prefers young families, young people who are single practically do not have the possibility of renting a public apartment with non-profit rent, which leads to the problem of independence. According to the survey, Ref. [45] claims that administrative reasons are a problem in young people's emancipation, adding that a four-member family may be waiting for 4 years or more, but the waiting period still increasing depends on the frequency of the publication of the call. It is also noticed that landlords of market dwellings often reject young families and couples, that is, young people in general, which makes it even more difficult for them to leave their

literature, and analyzing our own research, we will try to support or reject them.

stay at home.

136 Housing

*or rented) real estate.*

parents' home.

Based on the findings, the first hypothesis was fully confirmed.

*maintenance costs or reduced autonomy in housework and personal care.*

**Hypothesis 2**: *The elderly would move out of the current accommodation only in the event of excessive* 

**Hypothesis 3.1**: *The younger population takes a quicker decision to move/abandon (sell) the current real estate (place of residence) due to relocation into a financially/cost-effective variant/form of residence than the older population.*

We completely confirmed this hypothesis, because on the basis of the findings of a survey conducted on 108 elderly people aged 60 and over, we found that older people are not ready to move from the current accommodation (81%). For older people, relocation would be very stressful (29%), and most would hardly move out because of a feeling of attachment to their living environment (46%). The willingness of elderly to migrate abroad is also low; only 9% would move (91% would not do this). It was found that the main reason for this are unknown people and unknown environment (49%), and the migration abroad would be a stressful and a demanding organizational process (17%). Also, nine individual responses were received, which, as a reason why older people do not like to move, emphasize age and attachment to place. The results show that the elderly would hardly leave their accommodation, they are attached to it, and also on their own country they want to move only in a familiar environment and do not want to be surrounded by unknown people. The results of our research were also confirmed by the study on the housing needs of pensioners and other elderly people presented in Ref. [36]. On the basis of the obtained results, the study concluded that the vast majority of elderly live in their own real estate; in the house 63% of old people and 30% in the dwelling. Only 18% of respondents thought about relocation. The same study also showed that about 13% of the elderly thought about moving to dwellings for the elderly, including retirement homes, renting dwellings for the elderly, or sheltered dwellings. Also, research [34] noted that the elderly were not impressed with the relocation. According to that study, the financial position of the elderly is also worse because of unsuitable living conditions in which they live. Many older people live in large (older) dwellings that require high maintenance costs. The solution for them would be to move to a smaller apartment that would be more economical. For this step, the elderly do not decide until they absolutely have to, because they are emotionally attached to their own real estate, and it represents a life achievement for them. The same study also noted that few respondents were ready to sell the property in exchange for a better life (64.8%), and only 18.7% of the respondents would do that.

between partners are improving and, in the event that children maintain contact with them, they increase their general life satisfaction. In Slovenia, the situation is completely different; in Slovenian environment, there is very common "an empty nest syndrome," because parents pay all their attention to the children, and once they leave, the emptiness is created. In Slovenia, a survey was conducted on a sample of the student population, presented in Ref. [21]. The study found that most of the students do not want to live with their parents or partners' partners in the period from 25 to 30 years, but they want to live alone or with partner in their own household in 86.2%, but at the same time, they believe that they will not succeed and for that reason will live with their parents (38.9%). Based on the results, it is clear that adult life with their parents is a very likely situation, but not the most desirable for them. Thus, in Slovenia, the LAT phase (living together and at the same time apart) is more a must than a personal choice. The study presented in research [51] explored the reasons why young people stay with their parents longer and longer. It analyzed their wishes, expectations, and purposes for moving to their own apartment. The study was carried out on 203 young families aged 20–39 years. The majority of families were aged 25–29 years (40.4%). The results showed that the main reason for staying with parents is the lack of finances and good interpersonal relationships. They found that young people want to move out of their parents' home regardless of the good relations with their parents, while expecting more help from the state. Also, research has been done in Slovenia, Serbia, and Japan about what impacts prolongs stay of young people in their parents' home [52]. The criteria for selecting countries were different economic development and strategic position. The survey involved 1006 Slovenian participants, 385 Serbian, and 264 Japanese, aged 20–40 years. The research showed that young people, despite having

Housing for Younger and Older Populations http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.78039 139

good relationships with their parents, want to create their own household.

Certainly, we cannot overlook the fact that there are also young people who care for their parents and they are aware that leaving their home will cause emotional tension. Because they do not want to affect their parents in this way, they are unlikely to leave home. As part of our research, we were interested in whether young people would be willing to relocate to older relatives with whom they would live together in order to solve their housing problem. They would take care of relatives, help them with the maintenance of the property, contribute to the cost of the property, and possibly inherit the property. We found that only 18% of young respondents would decide for this, and 82% would not decide for this type of accommodation. We also asked them if they would be willing to accept assistance in exchange for an apartment in case that the landlords would not be relatives. Young people would, in return for free accommodation, take care of the elderly, help them with maintaining the property, and share costs. We found that such a way of coexistence would be accepted by 16% of young people, and for another 84% would not. In the continuation, young people were asked a subquestion of why this way of living would be accepted and why not. Among the reasons why young people would accept assistance of the elderly in exchange for an apartment (16%), they answered that they used to work with the elderly (7%) and that they could save some money in such case (4%). Those who answered that they would not accept the assistance in exchange for an apartment, as a reason, in most (57%) stated that in such a form of coexisting, they would feel uncomfortable and interdependent. In second place is the answer "because I think

Much sooner, the decisions for relocation are taken by young people. Our survey conducted on 115 respondents between the ages of 18 and 35 showed that as many as 63% of respondents were prepared to move abroad (37% would remain in their homeland). The young people's readiness to move abroad is relatively high, which also confirms the study on youth mobility presented in Ref. [22]. The share of young people who would be willing to move abroad to improve living conditions ranges between 56% when moving to another European country and 35% for moving to another continent. Similarly, Ref. [48] is noted, which on the basis of demographic changes and generational cooperation lists data for the period 1995–2006. That study concluded that the majority of young people from 25 to 29 move abroad, followed by a group of 30–34 years, then aged 20–24 years. The main reason for the emigration of young people was the search for a higher standard. In the research presented in Ref. [49], it was found that almost 70% of respondents do not intend to move or improve the current accommodation in the next 5 years. However, improvements are more often planned than migration. The same study also confirmed that the level of mobility in Slovenia is low, it is 2.4% annually. Depending on the age, findings in that study indicated that 45% of young people aged up to 34 are planning to move and only 2.5% of people older than 65 years. In terms of work activity, 73% of employees decided for migration, 7.6% of unemployed, 11.9% of students, and (only) 6.3% of pensioners.

**Hypothesis 3.1** was confirmed on the basis of the results of the research and study literature.

#### **Hypothesis 3.2**: *Both the younger and the older populations do not want a common residence in the same real estate.*

The findings of researchers are sometimes contradictory in the area of coexistence between the younger and the older. Ref. [50] in the case of young people in Germany notes that in the past young people stayed in the home of their parents largely involuntarily, staying at home was only an emergency exit, while the situation is reversed today. These are the circumstances in which the property of the parents is large enough to enable coexistence for several generations. Mentioned study also states that relations between the generations have changed; there has been a surprising recognition that now parents are the ones who feel uncomfortable in the apartment with adult children and want them to move out [51]. Ref. [21] claims that the coexistence of different generations does not necessarily mean that this is the best way, which can often be described as being trapped or forced into such a form of existence. The study assumed that such a way is more acceptable for the younger generation than for their parents. American research carried out in the 1980s suggested that such a way of coexisting for parents is stressful. It was found that after leaving children between the ages of 20 and 30, relationships between partners are improving and, in the event that children maintain contact with them, they increase their general life satisfaction. In Slovenia, the situation is completely different; in Slovenian environment, there is very common "an empty nest syndrome," because parents pay all their attention to the children, and once they leave, the emptiness is created. In Slovenia, a survey was conducted on a sample of the student population, presented in Ref. [21]. The study found that most of the students do not want to live with their parents or partners' partners in the period from 25 to 30 years, but they want to live alone or with partner in their own household in 86.2%, but at the same time, they believe that they will not succeed and for that reason will live with their parents (38.9%). Based on the results, it is clear that adult life with their parents is a very likely situation, but not the most desirable for them. Thus, in Slovenia, the LAT phase (living together and at the same time apart) is more a must than a personal choice.

financial position of the elderly is also worse because of unsuitable living conditions in which they live. Many older people live in large (older) dwellings that require high maintenance costs. The solution for them would be to move to a smaller apartment that would be more economical. For this step, the elderly do not decide until they absolutely have to, because they are emotionally attached to their own real estate, and it represents a life achievement for them. The same study also noted that few respondents were ready to sell the property in exchange

Much sooner, the decisions for relocation are taken by young people. Our survey conducted on 115 respondents between the ages of 18 and 35 showed that as many as 63% of respondents were prepared to move abroad (37% would remain in their homeland). The young people's readiness to move abroad is relatively high, which also confirms the study on youth mobility presented in Ref. [22]. The share of young people who would be willing to move abroad to improve living conditions ranges between 56% when moving to another European country and 35% for moving to another continent. Similarly, Ref. [48] is noted, which on the basis of demographic changes and generational cooperation lists data for the period 1995–2006. That study concluded that the majority of young people from 25 to 29 move abroad, followed by a group of 30–34 years, then aged 20–24 years. The main reason for the emigration of young people was the search for a higher standard. In the research presented in Ref. [49], it was found that almost 70% of respondents do not intend to move or improve the current accommodation in the next 5 years. However, improvements are more often planned than migration. The same study also confirmed that the level of mobility in Slovenia is low, it is 2.4% annually. Depending on the age, findings in that study indicated that 45% of young people aged up to 34 are planning to move and only 2.5% of people older than 65 years. In terms of work activity, 73% of employees decided for migration, 7.6% of unemployed, 11.9%

**Hypothesis 3.1** was confirmed on the basis of the results of the research and study literature. **Hypothesis 3.2**: *Both the younger and the older populations do not want a common residence in the* 

The findings of researchers are sometimes contradictory in the area of coexistence between the younger and the older. Ref. [50] in the case of young people in Germany notes that in the past young people stayed in the home of their parents largely involuntarily, staying at home was only an emergency exit, while the situation is reversed today. These are the circumstances in which the property of the parents is large enough to enable coexistence for several generations. Mentioned study also states that relations between the generations have changed; there has been a surprising recognition that now parents are the ones who feel uncomfortable in the apartment with adult children and want them to move out [51]. Ref. [21] claims that the coexistence of different generations does not necessarily mean that this is the best way, which can often be described as being trapped or forced into such a form of existence. The study assumed that such a way is more acceptable for the younger generation than for their parents. American research carried out in the 1980s suggested that such a way of coexisting for parents is stressful. It was found that after leaving children between the ages of 20 and 30, relationships

for a better life (64.8%), and only 18.7% of the respondents would do that.

of students, and (only) 6.3% of pensioners.

*same real estate.*

138 Housing

The study presented in research [51] explored the reasons why young people stay with their parents longer and longer. It analyzed their wishes, expectations, and purposes for moving to their own apartment. The study was carried out on 203 young families aged 20–39 years. The majority of families were aged 25–29 years (40.4%). The results showed that the main reason for staying with parents is the lack of finances and good interpersonal relationships. They found that young people want to move out of their parents' home regardless of the good relations with their parents, while expecting more help from the state. Also, research has been done in Slovenia, Serbia, and Japan about what impacts prolongs stay of young people in their parents' home [52]. The criteria for selecting countries were different economic development and strategic position. The survey involved 1006 Slovenian participants, 385 Serbian, and 264 Japanese, aged 20–40 years. The research showed that young people, despite having good relationships with their parents, want to create their own household.

Certainly, we cannot overlook the fact that there are also young people who care for their parents and they are aware that leaving their home will cause emotional tension. Because they do not want to affect their parents in this way, they are unlikely to leave home. As part of our research, we were interested in whether young people would be willing to relocate to older relatives with whom they would live together in order to solve their housing problem. They would take care of relatives, help them with the maintenance of the property, contribute to the cost of the property, and possibly inherit the property. We found that only 18% of young respondents would decide for this, and 82% would not decide for this type of accommodation. We also asked them if they would be willing to accept assistance in exchange for an apartment in case that the landlords would not be relatives. Young people would, in return for free accommodation, take care of the elderly, help them with maintaining the property, and share costs. We found that such a way of coexistence would be accepted by 16% of young people, and for another 84% would not. In the continuation, young people were asked a subquestion of why this way of living would be accepted and why not. Among the reasons why young people would accept assistance of the elderly in exchange for an apartment (16%), they answered that they used to work with the elderly (7%) and that they could save some money in such case (4%). Those who answered that they would not accept the assistance in exchange for an apartment, as a reason, in most (57%) stated that in such a form of coexisting, they would feel uncomfortable and interdependent. In second place is the answer "because I think that due to the coexistence of different generations, there would be disagreements sooner or later" (19%). The findings of our survey, conducted on 115 young people between the ages of 18 and 35, also show that young people do not want coexistence in the same real estate. Even older people do not want coexisting with the younger ones. This is confirmed by the results of a survey conducted on 108 elderly people aged 60 and over. As at the younger population, we were also interested in the elderly, whether they would be willing to accept aid/assistance in exchange for an apartment. In this, we thought that someone would come to live with them, a younger or a younger family who would take care of them and help them with the maintenance of the property, and in paying the costs in return for free accommodation. We found that only 11% of the respondents would accept this form of assistance, and 89% of them would not have accepted this in return for housing. As the main reason, why older people do not want coexisting with younger people, they have expressed mistrust, because they would not know these people (53%). They also fear being exploited and disregarded in agreements (21%). Even in case of the elderly, we were interested in whether they would be willing to accept a younger relative (together with the family) with whom they would live together. The relative would also take care of them, help them with the maintenance of the property, and contribute with the costs. We found that they are willing to do this in 41%, and 59% would not do so. In addition, we were also interested in whether the elderly would relocate to their children or grandchildren if they had this opportunity. We found that 35% of respondents would accept this option, while 65% would not. We can conclude that the results of the survey, both for the younger and for the elderly, show that no one wants to coexist in the same real estate. Young people, in particular, hinder the fact that there is no privacy, while older people are mistrustful of unknown people and fears that exploitation and failure to comply with the agreements would occur. Old people are somehow more open to cohabitation with relatives, children, and grandchildren, but their affirmative answers in all cases are below 50%.

their parents, whose low pensions are not enough to cover the costs of maintaining property or care services in institutional accommodation. Any further mid-generation research could

Housing for Younger and Older Populations http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.78039 141

We have come to the realization that all introduced hypotheses were confirmed. Thus, we find that the young people leaving from the parents' home are hampered by low or zero incomes, while those who ask for a non-profit apartment are met by difficult criteria. In this way, young people are pinning in a vicious circle, which does not seem to be a way out. For the elderly group, we realized that they would move out from the current accommodation only in case of too high maintenance costs or reduced autonomy in housework and personal care. We found that older people in Slovenia have little choice of accommodation, and they are also very expensive.

We realized that both studied groups have attached great importance to real estate; it means them security, they all want privacy and independence. We found that both the younger and older do not want a common coexistence. Young people who are willing to move out and have not resolved housing problem do not want to move to the elderly' dwellings in order to coexist with them; older people who are also not ready to move out do not want that the younger move to them and help them with the maintenance of property, costs, and assistance. We found that young people do not want to do this primarily because they feel cramped and interdependent, and they think that there could be disagreements between them and the host. At the elderly, the main factors are mistrust and suspicion of exploitation of accommodation. We must emphasize that old people are much more favorable for coexisting of different generations than the younger people, but only in the case they know them. We also found a low level of familiarity with solving the housing problem in the form of non-profit apartments for the younger and with the possibility of accommodation in retirement homes or sheltered apartments in case of the elderly. It should be emphasized that the municipalities, as well as the state, should pay more attention to informing the society of the existing institutional and other possible forms of living. In this way, the elderly can overcome the fear they have about placement in retirement homes. Similarly, for those older people who want to stay at home for as long as possible, this should be enabled, for

example, by financial assistance or by adjusting their dwellings to their needs.

question of housing remains an open issue for both young and old people.

2 Infrastructure and Real Estate Management Department, European Faculty of Law,

\* and Barbara Kolar2

\*Address all correspondence to: bostjan.kerbler@uirs.si

1 Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, Slovenia

**Author details**

Boštjan Kerbler1

New University, Slovenia

The basis for a successful housing policy for young people and the elderly is seen as a task of the state/government in the planning of a national strategy for the development of new forms of accommodation, and the Housing Fund of the Republic of Slovenia also plays a significant role. Based on the study literature and findings of the research, we found that in Slovenia, the

contribute to an even clearer picture of the problem.

**Hypothesis 3.2** was confirmed on the basis of the results of the research and study literature.
