The family lived modestly in the top floor of a multifamilyhouse on a side street in Cambridge, the friend said, helped partly by Section 8 housing funds and the largess of their landlord, an elderly woman who also tutored and helped the family place the children in good local schools.
Although supply of housing also is increasing in the U.K., industry watchers say the multifamily concept is set to catch on as young families rent cheap accommodations while saving to buy their first house.