What is Homeshare?
Homeshare enables two people to share a home for mutual benefit. Usually, an older person living in their own home with a room to spare will be carefully matched with a younger person who will provide an agreed amount of support in exchange for good quality, affordable accommodation.
Homeshare helps people to stay independent in the places they love to live and builds community connections. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement with both people having something they need and something to give. Homeshare brings two people together to share a home; typically, someone who needs help to live independently in their own home (a householder) is matched with someone who has a housing need (a homesharer). In return for affordable accommodation, the homesharer provides around ten hours of support per week to the householder.
Support
The range of support provided, along with the key motivators for involvement might include help with daily living tasks such as:
- Cleaning/Laundry
- Shopping
- Gardening
- Walking the dog
- Overnight security/companionship
“Gabby has been living with me for over a year and homesharing is working really well, I’m so pleased… She is a super cook and such great company. I really enjoy our chats together over a nice meal in the evenings and she is very helpful with all of the things I can’t manage around the house.”
Homeshare has distinctive characteristics
- It is not a regulated activity and the homesharer must not provide any element of personal care.
- The homesharer provides practical support which can include help with shopping, cleaning, and cooking but more importantly the sharer must be prepared to live sociably in the property, providing companionship to the householder.
- Homeshare organisations play a pivotal role in the relationship. They undertake all the key safety checks, make appropriate introductions, and provide ongoing support.
Find out more about Homeshare organisations or visit the Homeshare UK website.
