Angela

Editor’s note: At the member’s request, we’ve changed her name to Angela for the purposes of this article.

When chemistry lab technician Angela relocated to Houston for a job opportunity, her housing options felt limited. 

“I needed a place that was safe, affordable, and close to work,” she said. “Unfortunately, I could only find two of the three.” Like many newcomers, she initially booked an extended-stay hotel. But at nearly $2,000 a month, that wasn’t sustainable.

Unfortunately, she could only find two out of those three options right away. As a transplant to the Houston metro area from Atlanta, she was surprised by how big the city and its suburbs were, and she needed some time to acclimate to the area. 

Not wanting to be locked into a long-term lease, she opted to stay at an extended-stay residence. The hotel offered flexibility, but Angela was paying nearly $2,000 per month, which was unsustainable.

That’s when a friend told her about PadSplit, a coliving platform that offers affordable, furnished rooms in shared homes with flexible lease terms. Though skeptical at first, Angela decided to take a chance, and it paid off.

“I was kind of skeptical at first because you have to move into a house with different people and strangers from all over the world,” Angela said. “But it exceeded all of my expectations.”

Finding affordability and flexibility

“As a single woman, safety is my first priority. I wasn’t sure what it would be like to share a house with people I’ve never met before.”

She decided to give it a try. PadSplit’s flexible terms let her move in quickly with no security deposit, and the option to leave at any time made the choice even easier.

Angela notes that her property host, Kay, has been truly wonderful and very responsive. She appreciates the home’s amenities, its spaciousness, and the ability to utilize shared spaces like the kitchen and washer/dryer.

As for her PadMates, Angela says she got along well with everyone.

“From the guys to the girls, from the old to the young, all of my roommates have been respectful. We’ve gotten together for some meals, but for the most part, everyone just keeps to themselves.”

Saving more than $1,000 per month

For Angela, the best part of living in a PadSplit home was, without a doubt, the savings. As a former homeowner with a strong career focus, she had always been committed to making the most of her income, something PadSplit made possible. 

“With my reduced rent costs, plus savings from having a washer/dryer in the home, I was easily saving over $1,000 per month. I was able to grow my savings a lot faster by living in PadSplit, which allowed me to put a down payment on my new construction home much quicker than I could have otherwise.”

Fresh off closing on her new home, Angela is already targeting her next investment: buying another property to turn into a PadSplit.

“Living in a PadSplit for four months showed me firsthand how it’s such a great opportunity. As a property owner, you can earn a strong income and, at the same time, you’re giving people an opportunity to save money or find a temporary place to live.”

Many of Angela’s PadMates had moved to Houston from other parts of the country and needed a place to live quickly, just like she did. She met others who were displaced as a result of divorce or financial circumstances and needed a temporary home to stabilize their circumstances.

“PadSplit gives people options. I wouldn’t be in this spot today if it wasn’t for PadSplit, so I definitely recommend it to others.”

Angela isn’t alone in this journey. Stories like hers are increasingly common, especially in cities like Houston, where housing affordability is becoming a critical issue. 

“We’re not just offering rooms—we’re offering options,” said PadSplit Founder Atticus LeBlanc. “Access to affordable housing shouldn’t be a privilege, and our model makes it possible for people like Angela to thrive.”

PadSplit provides affordable housing, one room at a time

PadSplit’s coliving model is helping solve Houston’s housing affordability crisis by turning existing homes into shared spaces. Unlike traditional apartment developments, PadSplit works with property owners to convert underutilized spaces into income-generating rooms. It’s a win-win: renters save money, and owners diversify income streams.

“We don’t have a housing supply problem—we have a distribution problem,” LeBlanc said. “We’re creating access to housing by making better use of the homes we already have.”

For Angela, that access changed everything.

“PadSplit gave me options I didn’t have anywhere else. I wouldn’t be in this spot today if it wasn’t for PadSplit. I definitely recommend it to others.”

Interested in becoming a PadSplit member or host?

Whether you’re relocating to a different city, saving for your next financial goal, or are interested in turning your property into a PadSplit, learn more about how it works.