Dutch nursing home offers free rent to students who are required to spend time with seniors

Twelve years ago, a Dutch nursing home introduced a life-changing idea: students living with seniors under one roof.

This simple setup sparked friendships, eased loneliness, and gave students free rent—while solving two growing problems: isolation among older adults and a shortage of affordable student housing.

At Woon-en Zorgcentrum Humanitas in Deventer, the program allows local college students to live rent-free in exchange for spending at least 30 hours a month socializing with elderly residents.

The goal was to build an environment where both young and old feel seen, valued, and connected, according to Good Good Good.

“It started with the idea of becoming the warmest home for seniors in Deventer,” Gea Sijpkes, director of WZC Humanitas, said in a statement. “And we wanted to do that with the energy of the youth.”

Integrational living offers a win-win solution

This model of integrational living quickly proved to be more than just innovative—it became life-changing.

Research shows that relationships between different age groups can reduce depression, improve self-worth, and even ease stress for older adults.

At the same time, young people were struggling to find affordable housing.

“More and more young people were staying at home,” he explained.

That’s when Sijpkes saw a unique opportunity: bring the generations together in one welcoming space.

The students aren’t expected to provide care. Instead, they act as friendly neighbors who bring laughter, fresh ideas, and simple companionship.

How students living with seniors combat loneliness

Inside Humanitas, the solution to loneliness is surprisingly simple.

Instead of high-tech fixes or significant investments, the home fosters senior companionship through genuine human connection.

Whether it’s a shared meal, a game of pool, or casual conversation, the time students spend with residents makes a difference.

“It doesn’t all have to be grand and exciting,” explained Peter Kolb, one of the center’s residential students. “If you talk to each other and show interest in each other, that already gives so much meaning.”

Another student, Dakota Donath, said that living among seniors taught her to slow down and appreciate life more deeply.

A Global Model for Combating Isolation

The loneliness solution offered by Humanitas has reached far beyond Deventer.

Over the years, the program has drawn global attention from nursing homes, religious communities, and educational institutions.

In 2004, the Augustinian sisters of Utrecht embraced a similar approach.

They welcomed three young women with medical backgrounds into their convent.

These new companions helped with daily tasks, from serving meals to troubleshooting tech issues—proving that shared living can refresh and enrich even the most traditional communities.

The idea works not because of money or complex systems but because of humanity.

As Sijpkes said, success comes when “people are open to sharing their lives with someone from another generation.”

Next steps for students living with seniors at Humanitas

Looking ahead, Humanitas plans to deepen these connections even more.

The center is launching “Woonstudent 2.0,” a roommate-style setup where students and seniors share living spaces more closely.

The team also hopes to launch joint projects that creatively use each generation’s skills and wisdom.

From gardening to music nights to digital storytelling, these activities promise to spark joy while teaching both sides something new.

Student volunteers make a lasting impact

At the heart of this initiative are the student volunteers—young people who willingly offer their time and presence to bring warmth into someone else’s life.

They aren’t just living in a nursing home; they’re becoming part of a supportive community that sees the value in every age.

And for seniors, who often face isolation after the loss of loved ones, retirement, or declining health, the difference is life-changing, IOL noted.

Studies continue to show that isolation in the elderly leads to memory loss, heart disease, and higher mortality rates—risks comparable to smoking.

But with programs like Humanitas, that future doesn’t have to be the norm.

With just a bit of time and a lot of heart, young people are helping older adults feel seen and heard again.

Why students living with seniors are inspiring the world

The beauty of students living with seniors lies in its simplicity.

No grand buildings or significant funding are required—just the willingness to connect.

It’s an approach that touches on practical and emotional needs: easing student housing struggles and fighting senior loneliness in one meaningful stroke.

Across the globe, more communities are taking notice.

As new initiatives take shape, Humanitas remains a shining example of how integrational living can build stronger, more compassionate societies.

Watch Humanitas Deventer’s short video to see how students living with seniors are building meaningful connections through the “Woonstudent” project: