Inside Shared Housing: Choosing the Right Model

Discover the different ways shared housing is structured — and why choosing the right model matters.

Co-Moderators: Angela Long and Leanetta Jessie

In this session, we break down the primary shared housing business models, including room-by-room rentals, coliving operator models, and lease-by-room structures. You’ll learn how each model works in practice and how investors apply them across different property types and markets.

You’ll Learn:

• The core shared housing models used today
• How room-by-room, coliving, and lease-by-room differ operationally
• Pros and cons of each model
• How to align the right model with your investing goals

Why Models Matter

Shared housing is not a one-size-fits-all strategy. The model you choose affects cash flow, operations, compliance, and scalability. Understanding these differences early helps investors avoid costly mistakes and build a sustainable approach from day one.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Why Shared Housing? Why Now?

Shared housing is one of the fastest-growing real estate strategies in the Mid-Atlantic. Baltimore’s rental market faces record affordability challenges, high rent burdens, and more than 36% of adults already living in doubled-up households. In Washington, DC, roughly half of renter households are considered cost-burdened, while Northern Virginia continues to see strong demand for shared housing driven by high housing costs, workforce growth, and limited entry-level rental supply.

Across these markets, shared housing is uniquely positioned to deliver affordable housing for residents, higher cash flow for investors, lower vacancy, stability across market cycles, and a meaningful social impact.

If you’ve been curious about coliving, PadSplit, room-by-room rentals, or creating a higher-yield strategy from single-family homes, this focus group is for you.

About

The Shared Housing Focus Group brings together investors who believe real estate can be both profitable and purposeful. Our mission is to advance best practices in shared housing by combining education, collaboration, and responsible investing to create resilient housing solutions for today’s market.

Facilitators 

Angela Long is a real estate investor specializing in the shared-housing model. With a background in business development and personal branding, Angela identifies under-utilized single-family homes and transforms them into high-performing, room-by-room income properties. 

Leveraging PadSplit and related shared housing models, Angela creates safe, affordable housing options while generating strong cash flow across her growing portfolio in the Washington, DC/MD/VA markets. As co-leader of the MAREIA Shared Housing Focus Group, she brings practical experience, operational expertise, and a passion for impactful housing solutions.

Leanetta Jessie is an emerging real estate investor and housing advocate with a passion for practical, people-centered housing solutions. She provides property management services for a residential rental property, owns her primary home, and is actively expanding her real estate expertise through continued education and hands-on experience.

Drawing from her professional background in program leadership, policy, and cross-sector collaboration, Leanetta brings a thoughtful and inclusive lens to shared housing — balancing investor insight with community impact.

As co-moderator of the MARIA Shared Housing Focus Group, she aims to assist in fostering conversation, connection, and learning among those interested in responsible shared housing models throughout Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic.