Home sharing: Learn more about this elder housing option

You are never too old to have a roommate, or in the concept of home sharing, a housemate. It’s not a new concept. Popular TV shows like “The Golden Girls” put home sharing in the national spotlight and the arrangement continues to spark interest among elders looking for alternative housing options. With more single elders wanting to age in place while on fixed budgets, home sharing could be a viable solution.

Home sharing comes in many different forms. In some cases, an elder opens up their privately-owned home to another elder who is seeking housing. In some cases, home sharing could involve a tiny home on the property or a part of the main house which has been retrofitted into an apartment or separate dwelling. This is a good solution for those who want to maintain a higher level of privacy. In other cases, home sharing may involve larger multi-resident dwellings, where each person had their own room but share common areas. Home sharing organizations can help applicants find the right housing situation for them along with a vetted, compatible housemate match.

It’s important to remember that home sharing is not a substitute for those who require daily medical care. Housemates are not allowed to perform medical care for liability reasons, but can help with household tasks such as cooking and cleaning for a reduction in rent. Home sharing organizations draw up contracts that outline housemate expectations in great detail to support a successful arrangement.

Annamarie Pluhar, author of “Sharing Housing, A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates,” identified five essential benefits to sharing a home, especially for older people:

• Cost
• Companionship
• Help and security
• Health and well-being
• Sustainability

Some people in home sharing arrangements have said that the mental and emotional benefits of companionship ended up outweighing the financial benefits. For independent older adults who are not interested in traditional retirement communities, home sharing is a an option worth exploring.

Learn more at StayorMove.org and SharingHousing, Inc.