Home SHARE (Shared Housing and Resource Exchange) came to Bucks County this year. It brings together a homeowner (Host) who has a private bedroom available with someone (Sharer) who is looking for an affordable place to live.
The program is geared towards seniors, widows, widowers, students, or anyone interested in sharing their home. The Sharer agrees to contribute towards household expenses, and help with chores such as meal preparation, lawn care, cleaning, etc.
In exchange, they receive a private bedroom as well as access to other areas of the home. Potential Hosts and Sharers meet with a Home Share Counselor when they enter the program.
During the meeting, they complete an application with information about their lifestyle, interests, hobbies, lifestyle, etc. The counselor then matches potential Hosts and Sharers based upon the answers they provided.
All parties must also clear background and reference checks. An Introduction between the parties then occurs. If both parties remain interested, there is a trial move in for 3-7 days.
Afterwards, if both parties agree, a Home Share Agreement is signed. It can be terminated by either party with 30 days-notice, or with five days-notice if an emergency occurs.
“This is a wonderful program for it gives people an opportunity to remain in their home when they otherwise may not be able to,” says Clark Shuster, who along with Shannon Walsh, is one of the Bucks County Housing Counselors. If you’re interested in learning more about Home SHARE, call Clark at 267-351-1855. He’ll be glad to answer all your questions!
Home SHARE is funded, in part, under a contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and The County of Bucks.
PHOTO CAP: SHARE Counselor Clark Shuster greeted hundreds of people at National Night Out in Doylestown this summer!