HomeShare International

Who we are

Homeshare International supports a network of professionals worldwide who run homeshare programmes. Our aims are to encourage learning and good practice, foster new programmes and understand the impact of homesharing. We also raise awareness of what homeshare can offer as a solution to many of society’s needs. 

What is homeshare?

Homesharing enables two unrelated people to share their lives for their mutual benefit. A homesharer provides support and companionship to a householder in exchange for free or low-cost accommodation. Homeshare can benefit many people with support or housing needs.

Homeshare programmes

There are now programmes in 16 countries from Canada to Korea, Austria to Australia. These programmes typically match older householders with young homesharers. Homesharing builds relationships, often between two generations, recognising that people who take part have needs and something to give.

Our work

a man gives presentation outdoors

Learning from each other in Madrid

Over 140 homeshare practitioners from 11 countries attended the Fifth World Homeshare Congress in Madrid, Spain in May 2017. Alfonso Fajardo (shown here leading a workshop) and colleagues from Solidarios ran this highly successful two-day event. Read more about the Congress, including the presentations.

members of the French programme

French programme supports Martinique

Our French members ensemble2générations recently visited Martinique to help them to set up the first homeshare programme in the Caribbean. e2g is very successful in France, running programmes in several cities, and it has now shared its methodology with many other countries.

a group of people chat

Homesharing goes east

Groups in Japan and Korea are now setting up pilot homeshare programmes in their countries and sent delegates to our recent congress in Madrid to network with other practitioners. Both groups are also getting support from Australia where the national umbrella body, HANZA (Homeshare Australia and New Zealand Alliance) supports not only local start-ups but also groups in the Asia-Pacific region.

Homeshare International @ 20!

Homeshare International’s 20th anniversary was celebrated with a gigantic cake at the Brussels congress dinner in March 2019 and with the publication of a review of its recent work. Nurturing a global network: homeshare in action 2014-2019 summarises our recent activities and gives a snapshot of homesharing in spring 2019. We’ve come a long way in 20 years! Read the review here.

Review 2019, FINALDownload

Homeshare International to partner with Shared Lives Plus

It is with great pleasure that we announce that Homeshare International and Shared Lives Plus have partnered to continue and develop the work that Homeshare International has been undertaking so effectively for the last twenty years. Homesharing has been in the news a lot recently, reflecting its growth across the world. This is in no small measure due to the joint efforts of Homeshare International and its worldwide network, and Homeshare UK with the support of Shared Lives Plus, the UK network for shared living.
 
Read more about the partnership.

Brussels congress – a right royal triumph!

Our Sixth World Homeshare Congress in Brussels, Belgium, held on 21 – 22 March attracted a record 200 delegates from 17 countries – and even royalty! We were thrilled when Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians attended the opening presentations and stayed to chat to our hosts, 1toit2ages, programme coordinators, speakers and homesharers (see a photo on our Facebook page).

The two-day conference gave delegates a wonderful mix of formal presentations, panel discussions, stories from homesharers – always very moving testimonies – and networking opportunities.  The papers and photos from the congress will be posted up shortly. www.hiworldcongressbrussels2019.com

Warmest thanks and congratulations to Claire de Kerautem, Regis and the 1toit2ages team for organising such a brilliant occasion!

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Who we are

Homeshare International is a network of professionals worldwide who run homeshare programmes.

Slideshow photos ©Elena Chebanova/Solidarios

What’s in a name?

Homesharing has many different names around the world: Homeshare •  logement intergénérationnel • wohnen für hilfe • convivencia intergeneracional • Programa Convive

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Do you run a homeshare programme?

If so, please make sure that your details are up to date on the Programme Directory.
If they are not, please complete the online form.