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
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