The Pennsylvania Department of Aging recently announced that its Shared Housing and Resource Exchange Program, known as SHARE, has expanded into five additional counties, including Bucks County.
SHARE is an affordable housing choice that brings together home hosts who have extra room in their home with home seekers who are looking for housing, in exchange for rent, help around the house, or a combination of both. Program participants must be at least 18 years of age and one of the individuals in the match must be over 60.
“The SHARE program has shown it is a win-win for both the older adult and their matched participant. The program allows the senior to remain in their home for as long as possible while providing housing to someone with common interests and a need for an affordable place to live. SHARE can also help combat social isolation and ageism while helping to close gaps between generations,” said Secretary of Aging Robert Torres.
The SHARE program follows a structured, one-on-one, thorough application process to ensure safety, verify compatibility and collaboratively establish ground rules with the host and sharer. A home host and home sharer meet separately with the SHARE housing counselor to discuss needs and preferences, complete the application and provide references. A counselor will conduct an introduction with the potential home host and home sharer, conduct reference and criminal background checks and arrange a home sharing trial.
Upon completion of a successful trial, a written home sharing agreement is developed with the SHARE housing counselor, home host and home sharer. Once the home sharer has moved into the home, the counselor provides scheduled contacts with the home host and home sharer to provide ongoing support throughout the match. The counselor also serves as a referral source to community resources for all SHARE participants.
Visit aging.pa.gov/aging-services/housing/Pages/SHARE.aspx or call 888-801-SHARE-HOME for more information.
