Shared Housing

What is Shared Housing?
Shared housing is a personalized service which assists single parents and others in finding compatible housemates, matching those who have space in their homes with those who are looking for housing; or matching two seekers who then find rental housing to share.

Housemates share common areas (such as the living room and kitchen) and have their own private area. Housing expenses and responsibilities are shared.

How does the program work?
We interview all participants by appointment. We talk with "Providers", people interested in sharing their house or apartment, and with "Seekers", people interested in moving in with others.

We learn about people's habits, values and preferences. Information is confidential and is used only to determine a possible match.

People who seem to be compatible are introduced to each other. They make their own decisions about whether to share. When they agree to live together, we assist them in reaching a mutually beneficial living-together agreement.

On-going counseling is offered after people are matched. We can also act as mediators if a misunderstanding arises.

Who may participate?
Applicants must be single parents or willing to live with a single parent. (A single parent is a mother or father with shared or total custody of children.)
 Only one of the matched pair must be a single parent. The other half of the match could be a childless person, a senior, a two-parent family or anyone who agrees to live with children.

Clients must be able to share financial obligations and to meet their own basic needs. In some cases, services such as child care, senior care or housecleaning are ex-changed for a reduced financial share.

Additional Program & Services:
Shared housing participants are counseled on any attendant problems such as budgeting, etc. They are referred to appropriate programs at the Women's Center or to other community resources.

People in need of emergency housing or financial or legal assistance regarding housing problems are counseled and referred to appropriate programs. We maintain an information bank on all housing programs in the county and state.

Shared housing is a transitional housing arrangement for some. For others, it may be permanent. It is not an emergency program.

What are the benefits?
Although home sharing was popular in our grandparent's day, it is not common today. Sharing requires new thinking and some preparation. We encourage clients to express their needs and expectations and help them appreciate the give and take of sharing.

Some of the potential benefits are:

• Sharing household tasks
• Reducing financial burdens
• Child care
• Companionship
• A support system
• Security of another adult presence
• Opportunity to increase savings
• Receiving services or bartering

Is there a fee for the program?
A donation to Women's Rights Information Center is requested as a registration fee.

For more information:
Call or E-mail Angele Leaptrot in the Shared Housing Department at the Center: 201.568.1166 (Monday 9am-9pm and Tuesday - Friday 9am-5pm) An appointment is required.