Homeshare is a simple but brilliant idea – it is the exchange of services : housing for help in the home. Homesharing enables two unrelated people to share a home and their lives for their mutual benefit. Companionship and mutual support are at the heart of homesharing – not financial gain. A homesharer provides support and companionship to a householder in exchange for free or low-cost accommodation.

Homeshare Works!

We are happy to share stories from our Homeshare International Network members. Tap the links to learn more about their work…

Homeshare can address housing issues “If I wasn’t able to take in a roommate like this, I’d have to leave this city — maybe go live with family in Los Angeles,” Allenby said. “And I don’t want to go there. I love San Francisco. This is my home, and this is how I stay here.”   The San Fransisco Chronicle reported on Front Porch’s Home Match support for two LGBTQ men: Bay Area housing crisis: S.F. plays roommate matchmaker to prevent homelessness Richard Sanchez needed a new home where his drag-show wigs and outfits could comfortably fit without being jammed together, a place where he felt safe and settled. Gary Allenby needed to stay in the apartment where he’s been building a cozy universe of familiarity with neighborhood shops and a feeling of security since 1985. Neither could afford to do that on their own — they are in their 60s, and their fixed incomes were rapidly being outstripped by the ever-growing costs of living in San Francisco. They didn’t know how to fix that, and if they lost their housing, they just might wind up homeless — or at least not being able to live in the city they revere. That’s where a promising program being expanded by the city came to the rescue.  Read more

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• Tell the HomeShare Story!

  We are so proud of our HI Network members and their creativity in telling the Homeshare story. Enjoy this great example from THE HomeShare…

  Well done, Lucie!

• Homeshare Vermont

  

  Carol spent decades teaching in Vermont. Katie was moving to Vermont to take a teaching position at UVM. They found each other through HomeShare Vermont. Carol feels like she’s gained another daughter… one who can take care of her cat when she travels to visit her four children. Katie now has an unofficial tour guide of Vermont and a wonderful place to live while she’s teaching here. Read their story in Homeshare Vermont’s February Newsletter. 

• In the UK

  Josie, in her mid-70s, was referred to a homeshare programme by a hospital after a stroke severely affected her behaviour. The hospital was keen to discharge her if home support could be arranged. She was found a perfect match in Trevor, a young working man who needed a home and who handled Josie’s erratic ways with great diplomacy. Soon Josie adored him like a grandson and, keen to cook for him, regained all her independence skills. Trevor stayed with her for three years by which time Josie was well enough to live alone again.

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Homesharer Ben Aitken has written a hilarious and touching book based on his home-share experience during the COVID lockdowns of 2020. The Marmalade Diaries: The True Story of an Odd Couple was published by Icon Books in March 2022.

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THE HomeShare is a superb model enabling a vulnerable adult to remain in their home for longer than would be possible to do alone; It gives concerned relatives reassurance and peace of mind that their loved one is not alone, that there is a responsible adult present in the home, and should the need arise unexpectedly, they can be contacted or indeed the emergency services called should that be necessary. CEO, Lucie Cunningham and her team are superbly supportive and it is evident they each possess a genuine concern for the wellbeing and happiness of their vulnerable clients. It certainly is a very cost-effective option and one I hope might be considered for me, should the need arise, affording me the chance to stay in my own home – my own environment, where like most we feel safest and happiest. ~ Margaret (daughter)

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“It’s hard to imagine what life would’ve been like if we hadn’t crossed paths.” read the story Read testimonials from other Share and Care Homeshare participants and their families…

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New Zealand’s Age Concern agency, which operates a successful homeshare program, gave a first-hand account of a new match between householder Frankie and homesharer Ian, which started just before the country’s COVID-19 lockdown was imposed. Read it here.

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