SHARE: Shared Housing and Resource Exchange

October 10, 2018

Ryan Lohman and Larisa Yusko

SHARE Housing Counselors

Background

• SHARE is funded by a three-year grant

• Pike, Wayne, and Monroe Counties

• Critical lack of affordable housing was identified in the tri-county area

Background

• Shared Housing was identified as a cost-effective housing model to address:

– Insufficient number of affordable housing options

– Rising property taxes, development dues and other housing costs

– Seniors feeling isolated in their home

– Need for assistance with household chores

– An alternative to placement in an institutional setting

Introduction

• SHARE (Shared Housing and Resource Exchange)

• Shared Housing Definition

– Mutual Benefit

– Control

– Choice

– Exchange of services

• Host – Individual wishing to share their home

• Sharer – Individual moving into the home

Housing Counselors

• Two Housing Counselors administer SHARE

• Responsibilities:

– Assessing intakes

– Completing applications

– Conducting background checks

– Identifying potential matches

– Introducing prospective matches

– Monitoring trials

– Negotiating and implementing match agreements

– Monitoring and ongoing support of matches

– Community outreach and education

Guidelines

• Host homes must be located in Pike, Wayne, or Monroe Counties

• The Sharer must have their own bedroom

• All applicants must be over age 18

• One individual in a match must be over age 60

• The Sharer can only be charged 30% of their gross income, including utilities

• The Agreement can be for rent, resources, or a combination

• Not emergency housing

Reasons to Participate in SHARE

• Companionship

• Services

• Financial

• Security

Process

• Intake

• Application

• Screenings including background and reference checks

• Home Inspection

• SHARE counselor identifies a match

• Introductions

• Trial period

• Home Sharing Agreement

• Check-In, Monitoring and Counseling

• Termination of Contract

Intake

• Host Questions:

‾ In what county is your home located?

‾ Do you have a spare bedroom?

‾ What are you expecting regarding monthly rent?

• Sharer Questions:

‾ Are you looking for emergency housing?

‾ Where would you like to live?

‾ What is your income?

If an individual is not appropriate for the program, the Housing Counselor will make a referral to a community resource for assistance

Applications

• Completed in person

• Can take up to 90 minutes to complete

• Home Hosts and Sharers should be:

– Flexible

– Accommodating

– Good communicators

– Clear about their needs and expectations

– Sensitive to others

– Problem Solvers

Criminal Background and Reference Checks

• Applicants must provide their Social Security number for criminal

background check

• Having a criminal background does not necessarily exempt anyone from the

program but will be disclosed to any matches. Certain crimes may make a

match next to impossible.

• Applicants must provide three references

Home Inspections

• Must meet HUD Housing Quality Standards

• Referral to local agencies for assistance with repairs, if needed

• No match will be completed until the home meets HUD standards

Matching

• Criteria – It is the heart of our success!

– Age

– Geography

– Gender

– Finances

– Resource Exchange

– Pets

– Tobacco and Alcohol preferences

– Overnight Guests

– Home Amenities

– Hobbies and Interests

Introduction

• Held at the Host’s home

• Prior review of Applications will facilitate conversations

• No match will be 100%

• Next day follow-up

Trial

• Length

• “Tips for Getting Along”

• Follow-up with the potential match

Agreement

• Each Agreement includes resource exchange specifications and financial

responsibilities

• Financial transactions (rent) are between the Host and Sharer

• Rules about:

– Pets

– Overnight Guests

– Tobacco…

Check-In and Counseling

• Monthly check-ins and periodic home visits are required

• SHARE Counselors are available to discuss differences or concerns

• SHARE Counselors assist with conflict resolution

Termination of Agreement

• Either participant can end the Agreement with a 30 day written notice

• In case of emergency, Agreement can end within 5 days

Challenges

• Getting enough qualified applications to make a match

• Making sure the Host/Sharer really want to share a home

• Ongoing support for applicants from the surrounding community

• Making sure the family is on board!

Successful Matches

• Mary, age 77 and Despina, age 57

• Joe, age 52 and Lorenzo, age 71

• Emily, age 71, and Judy, age 72

.

Questions

Contact Information

Ryan Lohman

Monroe County

(570) 832-0538

rlohman@pikepa.org

Larisa Yusko

Pike and Wayne Counties

(570) 832-5133

lyusko@pikepa.org