Shawn and Mollee Leech, married with an infant, got lucky when they found a house to rent in Olney despite the housing crunch.

But, to make their situation easier financially, they are living with Mollee’s aunt, uncle and cousin. The five adults share the household expenses: $1,700 a month in rent, plus about $500 or more in utilities, groceries and other costs.

The Leeches and their family decided that living together made sense, especially in a region where housing options are limited, the cost of living is rising and people often pool resources.

“It’s expensive where we live, and it’s rough some months,” Mollee said, “but our family … We all work together cohesively so that everything gets paid, we’re all taken care of.”

Earlier, the group had lived together in a two-bedroom apartment in Warrenton when Mollee was pregnant. She and her husband now have an 18-month-old son, Owen.

“Warrenton’s good to live in,” Shawn said. “Quiet neighborhood. Good housing. Affordable rent. If you can find a house, that is, or an apartment.”

But the cramped quarters became an issue, and they decided to find a house.

“It was pretty much the only thing that was available at the time,” Shawn said. “It was perfect timing when it opened up.”

Shawn, 37, and Mollee, 24, have been married almost three years and make decent money at their jobs in Seaside — he at WorldMark Resort, she at Flashback Malt Shoppe & Gifts — but living in Clatsop County isn’t cheap, especially as a parent.

“It’s very expensive to have a child,” Shawn said. “Unless you’re well off, it’s hard to pay for a child.”

Though six people living in a four-bedroom house isn’t ideal, each tenant has greater peace of mind, and the Leeches are working to save money.

“We are very grateful that our family asked us to move in with them,” Mollee said. “And so, while it’s not ideal, it is a better situation than we could be living in.”

Though Shawn enjoys living with his extended family, he would rather be living with Mollee and Owen in a place of their own.

“I love my family,” he said, “but I have my own family.”

— Erick Bengel