Senior cohousing: exploring the housing preferences of older people in Spain

Purpose Population aging in Europe is reshaping housing demands and care systems, creating an urgent need for alternatives to traditional eldercare. In Spain, where demographic trends mirror those of other developed nations, senior cohousing offers a potential solution to isolation, affordability and autonomy challenges. This article aims to analyze older adults’ preferences regarding senior cohousing models and assess factors influencing their attractiveness. The research addresses three questions: (1) What housing formats do seniors prefer for retirement? (2) What factors facilitate or hinder the appeal of cohousing? (3) Which design attributes are most valued in senior communities? Design/methodology/approach Using Conjoint Analysis on survey data from 300 individuals aged 50+, the study evaluates four attributes: housing format, location, management model and payment system. Findings Results show a strong preference for detached houses or low-rise apartments in coastal areas, managed cooperatively and offering flexible pay-per-use schemes. While aging in place remains dominant, senior cohousing emerges as a promising model aligned with active aging strategies. Institutional support and participatory design are essential for scalability and adoption. Originality/value Its original contribution lies in applying a stated preference approach to a scarcely explored topic in Spain, focusing on consumer choice behavior rather than case studies.