Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
Shared Housing: A Non-traditional Housing Option
Benefitting People and Communities
Presented by: Diana Myers
Diana T. Myers & Associates, Inc. (DMA)
Matrie Johnson
Home of the Sparrow
2
Overview
Shared Housing
Definition
Similarities and Differences with Other Models
Benefits of Shared Housing
Shared Housing Models
Match-up
Group Shared Residence
Examples of Shared Housing Programs for
Special Needs Population
3
What is Shared Housing?
Roommates in a college dormitory?
Households doubled-up?
People living in a group home?
People living in a boarding home?
Congregate Living?
It depends…………
4
Definition of Shared Housing
Two or more unrelated people sharing a
home
Each has a private bedroom and
sometimes a private bathroom
The living room, kitchen, laundry and other
common areas are shared
Can be intergenerational
5
Similarities with Other Models
Unrelated individuals living together
Can be non-profit owned and operated
Physical structure may look the same
Shared Housing Group Home Shared Living
6
How Shared Housing is
Different From Other Models
Choice
Control
7
CHOICE
Home sharers are often called a family
of choice
Participants select their homesharers
Must still comply with Fair Housing
Laws, i.e.: not discriminate against
people in one of the seven protected
classes
8
CONTROL
Home sharers make decisions and
participate in the daily operations of their
homes
They decide rules about pets, overnight
guests, smoking, etc. and often buy food and
prepare and eat meals together
9
Benefits of Shared Housing
Flexible
Serves people of all ages and incomes
Addresses changing demographics and
changing housing markets (AARP: 9 out of
10 prefer to age in place)
Cost Effective
Uses existing housing
Provides below market rate rents
Helps seniors & others meet housing costs
Provides savings to the healthcare system
10
Benefits of Shared Housing
Self-determination/choice
Companionship
Neighborhood Stabilization
Reduces turnover, vacancies and
conversions that affect stability and
property values
11
Individuals Appropriate for
Shared Housing
A Home Sharer should be:
Flexible
Accommodating
Good communicator
Clear about needs and expectations
Sensitive to others
Problem Solver
12
Shared Housing Models
Two Models:
Group Shared
Residence
Match-up
13
Group Shared Residences
4-10 individuals live cooperatively in large dwelling
Generally owned and operated by a non-profit agency that provides property management & resident mediation services
Can use existing property or involve rehabilitation or new construction
Regular (facilitated) house meetings
May include meals, laundry or housekeeping
Sometimes offers case
management or other services
14
Challenges
Resistance to model by potential homesharers
Conflict among residents
Lack of funding for facilitator
If rehab or new construction is involved, can
involve:
NIMBYism/zoning battles
Competition for limited affordable housing
resources
Intensive work for sponsor
15
Shared Housing Match-up
Two Types:
Homeowner (housing provider) shares with home seeker
Seeker pays rent agreed upon with provider
Appropriate for “over-housed” households such as widows/widowers
Two individuals agree to share and rent or
purchase a home together
This enables them to share resources
Sharers may know each other previously or meet at a social event or open house designed to introduce people
16
Shared Housing Match-up
Some match-ups involve exchange of services
Generally sponsored by public agency or non-profit (46% public funding)
Staff conducts intake, screening
and introductions
Trial period recommended
(especially with service exchange)
Written home share agreements
Good program marketing is key
17
Challenges
Resistance to model by potential homesharers
Zoning definition of family that prohibits >2 unrelated individuals in same household
Limited availability of dedicated funding sources
Low volume until adequate pool of applicants
Good screening is critical
Number of seekers often exceeds providers
Not appropriate for persons with certain criminal records or history of substance abuse
Increasing service needs of home providers
Shared Housing Programs
Targeting Seniors
Home of the Sparrow
Chester County, PA
Match seniors with
Other seniors
Intergenerational
18
Home of the Sparrow
About Us
Home of the Sparrow partners with women facing homelessness to secure
housing, achieve long-term stability, and chart new paths for their futures.
Impact
Over 500 women and children
per year
ProgramsEviction Prevention
Supportive Housing
Pre-Senior Bridge Housing
Graduate Outreach
Health and Adverse Childhood Experiences
Shared Housing
Shared Housing Program
The concept
Homeowners Homeseekers
Innovative solution to prevent
homelessness
Responds to affordable housing crisis in
Chester County
Average income needed to
afford a 2-bedroom
apartment in Chester County
Food Services
Personal Care
Healthcare Services
VS.
Who is affected?All Chester County residents with lower
incomes, especially:
Single women and mothers
Older Women
Shared Housing
Background
Who benefits?
How does it work?
Background
Who benefits?
Homeowners
Single women and mothers, recently
separated
House rich/cash poor
Senior women
Limited income
Meet Ms. Walker
Homeseekers
Single women
Unstable housing
Over 40
Limited Income
Meet Nancy
How Does it work?
Interest ApplicationSite Visit/ Interview
MatchingMaintenance
Impact
20 matches = 40 women
Companionship
Housing Security
Shared Chores
The Shared Housing does not provide
Caregiver services
Medical services
Emergency shelter
Legal services
Other Shared Housing
Programs
Targeting Homeless Individuals
Goal often primarily economic
Often do not have same emphasis on choice and
control
Private landlords are primary resource
Examples
Friendship Place, Washington, D.C.
Micah Ministries, Fredricksburg, Virginia
Shared Housing Center Group Residence, Dallas,TX
43
Other Shared Housing
Programs
Targeting People with Disabilities
People with disabilities and their families create a
vision of housing for their future
Housing and related resource information
Workshops, training, meeting facilitation and
advocacy
Example
Partners4Housing, Washington State
44
45
Conclusion
Shared Housing Models provide additional
choices in the array of affordable housing
alternatives for people with special housing
needs.
46
For More Information
If you would like additional information or are interested in exploring the feasibility of establishing a shared housing program in your community contact:
Diana Myers
Diana T. Myers and Associates, Inc. (DMA)
Matrie Johnson
email: [email protected]
www.homeofthesparrow.org
