For nearly five years, local co-living company Cohabs has been changing the housing game in New York City. So far, the company has developed 23 beautiful homes around the city. Each mansion has opulent amenities, such as gyms and cinema rooms. Cohabs caters to young professionals, predominately in their 20s. These people tend to be international and want an intentional community. The average length of stay for its members is around 11 months, underscoring the fluidity of its customer base.
Just weeks ago, Cohabs launched a new, 19-bed co-living complex named Crown 120 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. This new cultural development has led to some passionate debate around gentrification and the impact it has on existing communities. True lodging rooms on The Crown 120 site begin at a modestly sized 74 square feet. Monthly rents start well above $2,400 in these areas you can rent these spaces! In addition to unique housing solutions, Cohabs’ branding touts immersive experiences in the city’s “up-and-coming” neighborhoods. This has raised alarm amongst the historic residents that live here about the threat of displacement.
Elisa Richou, Cohabs’ U.S. head of partnerships and brand growth, emphasizes the company’s commitment to engaging with local communities before launching new developments. This strategy is intended to bring some relief to community fears of gentrification and displacement. Richou states, “These houses are really designed to create connections for our members.” She further adds, “New York City can be overwhelming, but beautiful and magical sometimes, and we really just wanted to create a safe space.”
The arrival of Cohabs to racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods like Crown Heights hasn’t been without controversy. Residents complain that rich transplants will push up rent prices. They are concerned that it might negatively impact the character of their neighborhoods. Lisa Atkinson, a resident of Crown Heights, expressed concerns about affordability: “They’re leaving because they cannot afford it because developers like your company [are] coming in.”
Cohabs goes out of its way to encourage its members to patronize small local businesses. This project goes a long way into investing back into the community and responding to their concerns. Through its strategy, the company not only hopes to create a sense of community but play a strong role in helping build economic prosperity. Yet many residents remain unconvinced of the long-term impact these new developments will have on their neighborhoods. They challenge whether the changes will really help their communities.
Dalton, a local activist, noted the potential risks associated with rapid development: “It’s so pervasive, and there is so much money that there is a lot of potential for abuse, corruption.” He pointed out that communities of color such as Crown Heights aren’t as far along the gentrification curve as others like Williamsburg. He thinks you can’t help but still “see the writing on the wall.”
Second, critics claim that Cohabs’ model caters to a transient, nomadic population that will not invest the time and effort into truly becoming good neighbors. Celestina León, another local resident, voiced her concerns: “Being a transitional population, they’re not necessarily being set up to be a good neighbor.” She further remarked on the community’s sentiment towards newcomers: “They’re basically set up to have a Bushwick experience, and then go on their way. And it’s very insulting.”
The experience is much more positive for some members of Cohabs, though. Gabriela Caribe, a current resident, shared her thoughts on co-living: “I share my life and I build my life here, with my housemates, and it’s the whole reason I stayed in New York for this long.” She mentioned that her past living situation with one roommate was less satisfying than her experience in this new commune.
The conversation about Cohabs and developments like it goes on, the fact is that people are very much split on the issue. Others view co-living as an enlightened rescue for 20- and 30-somethings unable to thrive in the costly New York housing landscape. Others see them as precursors to gentrification, which has the potential to destroy the social infrastructure of long-standing communities.