MyTown cites benefits of shared space living

MANILA, Philippines — MyTown, an urban co-living company partly owned by the SM Group, has cited the benefits of living in shared spaces, saying it helps improve mental health conditions.

The company echoed the findings of the World Health Organization (WHO) which found out that rapid urbanization, an increase in the number of young professionals who live alone and social media adoption are adversely affecting mental health in big cities.

Mental health is especially problematic among millennials and Gen Z, WHO also said.

In a survey, MyTown found that two out of three of its tenants feel less lonely now that they co-live at MyTown.

“Shared accommodation, also called co-living, gives tenants their own space within a larger building with communal areas, amenities, activities and events, thereby providing a range of social benefits that help to reduce loneliness,” MyTown said in a statement.

WHO has listed “social support networks” as one of the factors that determines health and happiness.

Jelmer Ikink, group director of the company behind MyTown, said the goal is for MyTown to be a way for people to find a community and support network in the big city.

“By driving this sense of community and belonging through our building designs and tenant events, we successfully lower the threshold for people to engage with others and have our tenants feel supported and connected,” Ikink said.

He said it is a common occurrence among young people to experience loneliness or depression, either first-hand or in the immediate surrounding.

“Our survey shows that most tenants go to our events alone and that a big reason for joining these activities is to meet new friends. From movie and trivia nights to parties and community outreach activities, each tenant has the opportunity to connect and engage with others, create a supportive network, and maintain a social life,” said Drixel Ortega, chief customer officer at MyTown.