Abstract:
1. Introduction
The research examines shared living as a modern housing concept that
addresses urban housing challenges by offering affordability, social
interaction, and flexibility. With rising property prices and limited space in
cities like Colombo, shared living provides a viable alternative. Despite
growing interest, there is limited research on residents' perceptions of
shared living as a long-term housing solution with economic benefits, as
most studies focus on its short-term potential. This study aims to
examining residents' readiness for shared living, considering community
connection, economic advantages, and cultural perspectives .
2. Research Methodology
This study focuses on residents in Battaramulla and Dehiwala-Mount
Lavinia areas in Colombo. Convenience sampling method was employed to
select participants. The sample size, determined using G*Power software,
was set at 115 respondents to achieve a statistical power of 0.85. Data was
collected through structured Likert scale questionnaires to assess
residents' attitudes. Hypotheses were tested using SmartPLS-SEM.
3. Findings and Discussion
The study revealed an almost equal gender distribution among
respondents, with most being married and having four family members. It
analyzed attitudes toward Community Belonging (CBA), Cultural Attitudes
(CA), and Economic Gain (EGA) and their effects on residents' Readiness
(RR) and Shared Living Arrangements (SLA). Key findings showed that CBA
significantly impacted both RR and SLA, while EGA affected only RR. CA
had no significant effect. CBA and EGA indirectly boosted RR, with CBA
having a medium effect and EGA a small one. RR was a strong predictor of
SLA, underscoring its importance in adopting shared living arrangements.
4. Conclusion and Implications
The study reveals that residents in Colombo's urban areas show a strong
readiness for shared living arrangements, primarily motivated by a
community belonging and economic benefits. Cultural attitudes appear to
have little influence on this preference, indicating that shared living choices
are not strongly tied to cultural norms. The research emphasizes that
residents' readiness is key to the success of shared living models.
