"We wanted to address a dual issue: the struggle for young people to find housing when arriving in Paris or other large cities, and on the other side, the isolation of seniors", explains Coline Guénel.
Indeed, many rooms remain unused while numerous young people struggle to find accommodation. "Just in Paris, there are 100,000 vacant rooms belonging to people over 60", emphasizes Coline Guénel. To transform these available spaces into opportunities for connection, Colette facilitates the creation of pairs between seniors and young people, ensuring each step of the cohabitation is secure.
Because behind housing, the challenge is primarily human. "I don’t want to put just anyone in my uncle and aunt’s home, and conversely, I don’t want to place my cousin and little brother with just anyone", summarizes the co-founder. The startup thus plays a role as a reference point, from the initial connection to mediation in case of difficulties.
This experience later led to the creation of the Colette club, a meeting and activity space for those over 50. This evolution arose from a need expressed by the members themselves after the lockdowns. "These individuals asked us to connect them with one another, with people from the same district, the same neighborhood, simply to meet and break out of their routine".
For Coline Guénel, aging well relies on three pillars: purchasing power, social relationships, and social utility. Cohabitation allows seniors to regain daily companionship, as well as the feeling of still having a role to play in society.
"Of course, I am in favor of intergenerational connections; I wholeheartedly believe in all of this. We have hosted 2,500 young people with 2,500 seniors, and all the feedback points in the same direction. So, what drives me to continue wanting to democratize this practice, which I find wonderful, is strong", concludes Coline Guénel.
