👉 A tenement is a type of housing in which a single family unit (usually consisting of one or two bedrooms) occupies a smaller portion of a larger dwelling. Tenements are typically found in urban areas, where they provide an affordable option for families with limited income or space constraints. In the United States, tenements are often associated with the terms "communal housing" and "residential rentals," as these types of housing were historically used to accommodate individuals who lived together within a single family.