The history of homesharing

Homesharing has its roots in the USA where the late Maggie Kuhn set up the first programmes in 1972. She had previous founded the Gray Panthers to work on issues of inter-generational concern such as pension rights, age discrimination and affordable housing. Having experienced the benefits of homesharing, she founded the National Shared Housing Resource Center in 1980. The NSHRC helped establish homesharing programs and shared residences across the country. At the core of Kuhn’s messages was that people need to seize control of their lives and work for issues in which they believe. She passionately believed there must be more opportunities for inter-generational living and that seniors should not be isolated and alone, or warehoused and forgotten. She continued to be involved with the Grey Panthers and in Shared Housing until her death at age 89 in 1995. Kuhn led a remarkable life, integrating people of all ages in working for social and economic justice. She is considered by many to have started nothing less than a contemporary cultural revolution, both in terms of redefining the meanings of age and housing, and through her insistence on “young and old together.”

In the UK, homeshare was taken up in the early 1980s by the late Nan Maitland, who in 1993 launched the first formal programme, in London. In Europe, it is believed that the concept of homesharing was invented quite independently in Spain, where, in 1991 the Alojamiento por Compañia programme was set up in Granada to meet an urgent need for student accommodation.

By 1992 the idea had been adopted in Germany where the award-winning Wohnen für Hilfe programme was founded by Professor Anne-Lotte Kreickemeier in Darmstadt, again to meet the need for student accommodation. There are now several programmes in Germany.

Nan Maitland, our founder

In 1999 Nan Maitland launched Homeshare International (HI) to foster the concept more widely. Homesharing programmes in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, were launched in 2000 as a direct result of Homeshare International’s work.

In France, programmes started in 2004 in the Paris area, and have spread to other parts of the country. By 2013 pilot programmes were being developed in Japan, the first such programmes in Asia.

The concept has now been adopted in many parts of the world – see the list of programmes. There have been failures, too – which is why we encourage people wanting to start new programmes to contact us and join the Homeshare International Network for guidance and support.

A case study – the first UK homeshare match

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.

The growth of national associations

Homeshare International encourages the formation of national networks to support local programmes and spearhead further development.

The following homesharing associations provide support for their member programmes and may also create a single website portal providing information about Homeshare services in their country:

Australia – the Homeshare Australia and New Zealand Alliance (HANZA)

Canada – Homeshare Canada

France has two associations – ensemble2générations and Cohabilis

Germany – Wohnen für Hilfe

Spain – Red de Programas de Convivencia Intergeneracional

USA – the National Shared Housing Resource Center

UK – Homeshare UK

A case study – the first UK homeshare match

The growth of national associations

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Intergenerational Solidarity

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