To be sure, my vision for multifamily living is, architecturally speaking, arranged much more along Big Love lines than flophouse rules. You probably wouldn't want a bunch of families under one roof. But a set of friendly families living in adjacent homes, with a shared backyard? That seems quite reasonable. Better, in fact, on quite a few measures than the single family arrangements we currently advantage.
There's this strange acceptance of the idea that as we move into adulthood, we should radically de-emphasize our community and connectedness in order to purchase a big house near a good school with a large lawn. But even if you accept the implicit prioritization of children as right and good and natural, it's not clear that this is the best way to help your kids. The multiplication of invested, engaged adults in my imagined communities would allow for much more supervision, flexibility, social capital, community, and even financial support. By sacrificing so much of our social networks for raising a family, it seems likely that we're also harming our families. Community is good for everyone.
Also, read Reihan. Turns out my crusade isn't so lonely after all.
