St. Petersburg coliving company offers free housing for healthcare providers during pandemic

Docked Living, a St. Petersburg housing startup that promotes coliving, is opening one of its properties to healthcare providers who want to quarantine themselves so their families don’t contract Covid-19 coronavirus.

Providers needing to be away from loved ones who may be immunocompromised can have a space in the 3,000-square-foot, 8-bedroom, 9.5-bath home for as long as they need it, for free, the company said.

“This is particularly needed for health care providers on the front lines that may be exposed to Covid and have other at-risk populations at home,” said Nick Price, a local entrepreneur who works with the company.

Coliving is a form of housing where residents share living space, and often share a set of interests, values and intentions. Coliving values openness and collaboration, social networking, and the sharing economy, Price said.

Docked Living has three homes in St. Petersburg and three more under construction. Instead of leases and rent, the company offers housing memberships, which range from $750 to $975 a month.

The Docked Living home open to healthcare providers is in Historic Uptown and in walking distance of St. Anthony’s Hospital. It includes private furnished bedrooms and private bathrooms, utilities, WiFI and on-site laundry. There are common spaces, including a shared kitchen, living and outdoor area, as well. Docked Living is providing a cleaning service and basic cleaning supplies. Healthcare providers interested in finding out more should email kate@dockedliving.com

Coliving presents a challenge to social distancing, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health officials as the best way to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“We’re taking measures directed by the CDC specifically regarding shared housing, along with following how other leading coliving spaces are handling this situation. At Docked we have stocked up on extra cleaning supplies, and hygiene measures for our house members. We’ve recommended thoroughly wiping down surfaces in shared spaces, washing hands, and staying contained to their private bedroom and closing air vents if anyone feels they might be showing symptoms of Covid19,” Price said.

The company also is addressing the economic repercussions of the pandemic, including mass layoffs and reduced paychecks. Docked Living is working with house members who are having a hard time making monthly payments on a case by case basis, Price said.

The coliving sector is positioned for growth, Price said.

“Coliving thrives in situations that are forcing individuals to downsize. During this pandemic, people might realize that community connection is more important than the amount of material items someone owns, or financial freedom might entice them to find more creative ways for affordable living. Since all those problems are solved in a coliving model, we see the industry growing bigger than ever in the coming years,” Price said.