The recent enforcement against partitioned apartments in Dubai has brought attention to a pressing reality: many residents rely on unsafe and substandard accommodation because there are too few affordable alternatives.
What began as a reaction to a tragic incident has evolved into a broader discussion with how housing is delivered in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. The issue goes beyond safety but also about the growing gap between supply and demand in affordable, secure, and compliant housing.
In some older apartment buildings, rooms have been subdivided using unauthorised partitions. These setups are often created using non-compliant materials such as gypsum board or wood and are not engineered to meet structural or fire safety standards.
For landlords, the incentive is financial. Dividing a two-bedroom flat into five rooms yields more income. For tenants, the decision is driven by affordability and proximity to work. However, the result is often overcrowding and dangerous living conditions.
With a citywide push to remove illegal partitions underway, thousands of residents are now facing sudden eviction and urgent need for alternative housing. Many are low- to middle-income earners who simply cannot afford the market rates for legal studios or one-bedroom apartments.
The unintended consequence of enforcement is a surge in demand for legal and affordable housing. Some residents are now moving to outer areas or neighbouring emirates, facing longer commutes, separation from community networks, and greater financial strain.
It is clear that the problem was not created overnight, and the solution requires a sustainable, safe, and scalable approach to cohabitation in line with Dubai’s modern urban vision.
At Co-Living Legends, we recognise both the urgency and the opportunity in addressing this need. Our mission is to offer a secure, stylish, and fully compliant shared living solution exclusively for women in Dubai.
Rather than compromising safety in the pursuit of affordability, we do NOT modify any building and we do NOT offer partitions. Our apartments are licensed, professionally maintained, and purpose-built for respectful co-living. Every resident has a private bedroom and bathroom. All services, from utilities and air conditioning to cleaning and maintenance are included.
More importantly, we foster community. Living in Dubai can be isolating for new arrivals. Co-Living Legends creates homes, not just rooms, places where residents feel supported, connected, and safe.
While private sector solutions like ours contribute to the answer, the broader housing ecosystem in Dubai is constantly evolving. Affordable housing should not be synonymous with unsafe or illegal. It should reflect dignity, safety, and compliance.
That will require new development models, incentives for property owners to offer affordable configurations, and greater visibility for legal, shared living options. It will also require collaboration between developers, service providers, and policymakers to expand access to housing that meets modern safety standards without excluding large segments of the population.
The recent enforcement actions are a step toward safer urban living. Safety is non-negotiable. However, the long-term solution is not only to remove illegal partitions, but to provide real, accessible alternatives.
At Co-Living Legends, we are proud to be part of that solution, offering secure, affordable housing designed specifically for the needs of professional women. We believe that shared living, when done legally and intentionally, can be one of Dubai’s strongest answers to the growing demand for safe and accessible housing.
To learn more about our available apartments and how we are working to support affordable, legal housing in Dubai, visit www.colivinglegends.com.