SHARE brings home owners and home seekers together

In need of a housemate to help with expenses but don’t know where to start? There’s a program that can point you in the right direction.

The Shared Housing and Resource Exchange (SHARE) is an affordable housing choice that brings home owners who want to share their home together with home seekers who are looking for housing in exchange for rent, help around the house, or a combination of the two. The home seeker receives their own bedroom and agreed upon use of the common areas.

Home owners and home seekers meet separately with a SHARE housing counselor to discuss needs and preferences, complete the application and provide references. The counselor conducts reference and background checks, identifies potential home share matches, introduces the homeowners and home seekers, coordinates the written home sharing agreement and connects the participants to other community resources.

Some people like the idea of having another person around the house while others are looking for an affordable place to live or a way to supplement their income in order to meet household expenses. In some cases, it may also enable an older adult to remain in their home and community.

Older adults, persons with disabilities, veterans, working professionals, college students, individuals at risk of homelessness, single parents or people simply wishing to share their lives and homes with others are eligible for the program. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and one of the individuals in the match must be over 60.

For more information, call Laris Yusko at 570-832-5133 or connect via email at lyusko@pikepa.org.