SHARE - Shared Housing and Resource Exchange
Shared Housing and Resource Exchange (SHARE) is an affordable housing choice that brings together homeowners who want to share their home with home seekers who are looking for housing in exchange for rent, help around the house, or a combination of both. The home seeker receives their own bedroom and agreed upon use of the common areas. Every arrangement is unique depending on the needs, preferences, and abilities of the participants involved. SHARE is currently available in Allegheny, Bucks, Carbon, Crawford, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Snyder, Union, and Wayne counties.
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) has launched its first-ever marketing campaign to promote its Shared Housing and Resource Exchange Program, also known as SHARE.
The campaign uses animation and light-hearted scenarios to describe the contributions that both parties bring to a shared housing arrangement, and how they each benefit. In "Banana Bread," Bonnie, an older adult who makes great banana bread and has a dog, gets matched up through the SHARE program with Kylie, who happens to love banana bread and dogs. Bonnie's able to stay in her home, and Kylie can afford to go back to school. In "Lawn King," Gary and Glenda love their large yard and their lawn gnomes, but need some extra help with yard work – which they find from Josh.
The aim of the campaign is to encourage people of all ages to think differently about how a home-sharing arrangement could work for them, to learn more about the program and the matching process.
Listen to Banana Bread Radio Listen to Lawn King Radio
Why share a home?
Some people like the idea of having another person around the house. Others are looking for an affordable place to live or a way to supplement their income in order to meet household expenses. In some cases, it enables the older adult to remain in their home and community.
Homesharing offers the homeowner:
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Income to help with expenses
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A responsible tenant
Homesharing offers the home seeker:
- A private bedroom with agreed upon, shared common spaces
- Affordable rent
Homesharing may offer participants help with household tasks or other agreed upon services. It may also offer the home seeker reduced rent in exchange for services.
How does SHARE work?
A homeowner and home seeker meet separately with the SHARE Housing Counselor to discuss needs and preferences, complete the application, and provide references.
The SHARE Housing Counselor will:
- Conduct reference and background checks
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Identify potential home share matches
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Introduce the homeowners and home seekers
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Coordinate the written homesharing agreement
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Oversee trial living periods
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Provide ongoing support during the term of the agreement
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Connect the participants to other community resources.
Who is eligible?
Older adults, persons with disabilities, veterans, working professionals, college students, individuals at-risk of homelessness, single-parents, or people simply wishing to share their lives and homes with others. SHARE participants must be at least 18 years of age and one of the individuals in the match must be over 60.
Accordion
Expand AllClick here for a more accessible versionSHARE Housing
Availability
Available Hosts:
Warminster Area – Over 60 Male, has a cat, prefer no additional animals, looking for someone neat, male or female, preferably 40+. Home is a large one level rancher, with a wheelchair ramp. Sharer would have a fully furnished bedroom and a private half bath. Full bath is located next to sharer’s bedroom. Home has a fenced in yard, washer and dryer, and private parking. Host would like a financial contribution, and he would like someone with a license and car to drive him to the store. Host is non-smoker and non-drinker, ok with a casual drinker and non-smoker. Home is within walking distance of public transit.
Southampton Area – Under 60 male & female couple, two cats, no additional animals, looking for a female over 60. Couple are non-smokers, and would like a non-smoker, very casual drinker. Home is two stories, on a cul-de-sac. 2.5 bathrooms, living room, dining room, family room, full kitchen. Sharer would have a fully furnished bedroom on second floor with a full bathroom right next door. Host would like someone who can help with sweeping & mopping, cooking, occasionally feeding cats, and running errands. Home is about 15 min walk from pubic transit so a car would be best. Rent negotiable.
Quakertown Area – Under 60 female host, one small dog, no additional animals, looking for a female over 60. Host is a non-drinker, outdoor smoker. She is ok with an outdoor smoker, but no drinking at all. Home is a two-story townhome. 1.5 bathrooms, living room, kitchen, and back patio. Home has a stair lift, and shared bedroom is located upstairs and is fully furnished. Full bathroom and washer and dryer are also located on second floor. Home has a paved driveway and one step entry. Host would like a financial contribution along with help with housekeeping. Home is not located near public transit, so sharer would need a vehicle or reliable transportation.
Bristol Area – Over 60 female host, has one small dog, no additional animals. Sharer would have a fully furnished one bedroom studio in back yard. Studio has a kitchenette, furnished living room, and fully furnished bedroom. Keyless locked entry, and just a few steps from back door which leads to full bathroom in the main home. This full bathroom would be exclusively used by sharer. Sharer would also have use of washer and dryer, as well as a private parking space. Home is located within walking distance of public transit, Wawa, and Amish Market. Host is a non-smoker and occasional drinker. Ok with an outdoor smoker and casual drinker
Langhorne Boro Area – Over 60 female host, has four cats but does not want any more pets in home, non-smoker, non-drinker, neat and quiet. Home is a two-story condo located in a quiet development. Sharer would have choice of a bedroom located on second floor, or the bottom level of home. Bottom level has sitting area with furniture and fireplace, sliding doors to outside deck, and room for a bed. 2nd floor bedroom can be furnished with twin bed and dresser, or unfurnished. Host would have use of washer and dryer, and sharer would also have private, full bathroom. Host is open to male or female, couples, and anyone 18+. Home is within walking distance of public transit, café, pizzeria, convenience store. Host is experiencing some medical issues that may require sharer help with rides, errands, and housework. Sharers should be non-smokers and responsible drinkers.
For Bucks County, please contact Shannon Walsh at 215-303-2102 or c-swalsh@buckscounty.org if you are looking for more information about the SHARE Housing Program.
Updated: April 2024
Available Hosts:
Jim Thorpe 903/Albrightsville Area – Home Host looking for sharer. One room available with shared bathroom and common areas. Home is in a rural area and on an acre lot. Will need transportation. Laundry on premises. One dog may be ok, must be a responsible pet owner. Home Host is looking for contribution of living and resource exchange.
Lehighton Area – Home Host looking for sharer. One room with private bathroom available. Home located in a mobile home community, rural area. Will need transportation. Has a yard and laundry on premises. One pet ok, must be a responsible pet owner. Pet owner is responsible for additional pet fee. Home Host is looking for contribution of living.
For Carbon County, please call Kellie Cummings, SHARE Housing Counselor at 570-249-1159 or email kcummingssharecoordinator@ptd.net if you are looking for more information about the SHARE Housing Program.
Updated: April 2024
Available Hosts:
Meadville Area – Home host has a cat, prefer no additional animals, looking for someone neat and willing to assist with outdoor chores, must be able to climb 13 steps to furnished room with a private bath, no smoking or alcohol use, close to bus stop, off street parking.
Meadville Area – Home host prefers no dogs, no smoking, is ok with responsible alcohol use, looking for a 60+ sharer, townhouse, with a 2nd floor bedroom and "bonus" room available, shared bath, laundry is available, is close to bus stop, parking is available if sharer has a car.
Meadville Area – Home host with a cat, no smoker, second floor furnished set-up with private bath/laundry, Wi-Fi available, enjoys movies and jigsaw puzzles, close to town but sharer would need a car, off street parking.
Meadville Area – Home host prefers no pets (is in process of adopting a dog), No smoking, no alcohol. Would need a bed, room furnished with a couch and chair. Wi-Fi available. Split entry with bedroom in the bottom floor with a private ½ bath. Home is on the bus route. Host enjoys outdoors and relaxing on the deck.
Meadville Area – Host looking for a 60+ sharer, has a second-floor furnished bedroom with a shared bath. Wi-Fi available. No smoking, ok with responsible alcohol use. Has 3 cats preferred no additional pets. Within walking distance of bus stop, and off-street parking.
Meadville Area – Host prefers no pets, no smoking or alcohol use. Furnished bedroom and shared bath in a ranch style home 2 steps to enter. Wi-Fi available. Not far from town, not on bus route, sharer would need a car.
Meadville Area – Host is looking for a possible service exchange for help around the house. Unfurnished room on second floor 13 steps to bedroom. Shared bathroom on the first floor. Cable and Wi-Fi available. Outside smoking is acceptable, responsible alcohol use permitted. No pets, the host does have a cat. Is on the bus route, off-street parking is available.
Saegertown – Host would consider outdoor smoker, has a cat, looking for a sharer that can assist with outdoor chores and maintenance, furnished room second floor, and bonus room equipped as a small kitchenette, shared bath, Wi-Fi available. Enjoys outdoors, movies. Within walking distance of a bus stop, grocery shopping, off street parking.
Conneaut Lake – Host is a smoker, has a dog, looking for a sharer willing to assist with rental homes, would prefer no pets, no alcohol. Furnished room, shared bath. Within walking distance of downtown Conneaut Lake, off street parking. Willing to negotiate financial contribution in exchange for work.
Conneaut Lake Area – Host prefers No pets and No smoking. Furnished room with shared bath, washer and dryer are available, four steps to enter, bedroom on main floor. Sharer would need a car home is Not within walking distance to any amenities.
Linesville Area – Host has a large 2 story farmhouse. Loft bedroom off the kitchen 15 steps/shared bathroom. No smoking or alcohol use, Sharer must love cats and dogs and be willing to live in a remote location, must have a car.
Centerville Area – Host owns a mobile home, 3 steps to enter, private bath, laundry. Host has 2 small dogs, prefers no additional animals. Host enjoys flower gardens, bird watching and movies. Smoking/alcohol use in moderation. Remote location, host is willing to assist with basic transportation.
Centerville Area – Host resides in a large 2 story farmhouse, Second floor bedroom and private bath, laundry in basement. The host has a cat, no additional animals. Smoking/alcohol use in moderation. Sharer must be willing to help with cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Remote location sharer would need a car, host is willing to transport to appointments if necessary. Host is willing to accept help with chores in exchange for financial contribution.
Springboro – Host resides in a cape cod, with second floor bedroom, shared first floor bath, Wi-Fi available, no smoking, no drinking, Host has a small dog. Due to location a car is a must, (one mile out of Springboro). Host willing to negotiate financial contribution with a resource exchange for assistance with outdoor chores.
Cambridge Springs Area – Couple looking for help around the home, ranch style home with a lower-level furnished area set up as a small apartment. Wi-Fi available. They need help with laundry, cleaning, cooking, and dishes willing to discuss a resource exchange. Sharer must be able to climb spiral stairs to get to main level. Remote location car is a must.
For Crawford County, please contact Gwen Smith at 814-336-1792 Ext. 165 or gsmith@activeaging.org if you are looking for more information about the SHARE Housing Program.
Updated: April 2024
Available Hosts:
Arrow Lake Area – Home Host looking for Sharer. No smoking, no drinking. One bedroom, shared bath.
Brodheadsville Area – Home Host looking for Sharer. One-bedroom, private bath, living space. No pets. Able to walk to restaurants, grocery store, churches. Looking for contribution to household expenses and help with chores.
East Stroudsburg Area – Home Host looking for Sharer. One room available with private bath. No pets. Home Host has a cat and small dog. Looking for assistance with contribution to household expenses.
East Stroudsburg – Home Host looking for Sharer – student or career minded person. One bedroom and private bath. No pets. Looking for assistance with contribution to household expenses.
East Stroudsburg/Marshalls Creek – Home Host looking for Sharer. Has 2 bedrooms available. Needs help with contribution to household expenses. No pets. Home Host has one dog and 3 cats.
Effort Area – Home Host looking for 2 Sharers. One bedroom, private bath on first floor and one bedroom, private bath on second floor. No pets. Looking for contribution to household expenses.
Long Pond – Home Host looking for Sharer. One-bedroom, shared bath. No pets. Looking for contribution to household expenses.
For Monroe County, please contact Kelly Foley at 570-832-0538 or kfoley@pikepa.org if you are looking for more information about the SHARE Housing Program.
Updated: April 2024
Avaiable Hosts:
West Norriton Area – Host has private bath and bedroom, located on different levels of the home. A cat or small dog is welcome, host has a cat. Non-smoker only.
East Norriton Area – Host has a shared bath and is a rancher. There are three dogs in the home. She is agreeable to another dog/cat, as long as it got along with her dogs. Is interested in a contribution toward living expenses. Non-smoker only.
Gilbertsville – Male host has a private bath and bedroom located in the basement of his home. Non-smoker only. Host doesn't have a pet but would consider living with a dog.
Pottstown – Female host has a shared bathroom and a loft bedroom. Bedroom is located on third floor balance of apartment is located on second floor. No pets, host has 2 cats and a bird. Non-smoker only. Interested in contribution toward living expenses.
Lafayette Hill – Female host has a shared bathroom. Bedroom is located on second floor of home. Non-smoker only. Host has a dog but would consider living with a cat or another small dog. Interested in contribution toward living expenses.
Please contact Deborah Solodar at (484) 682-7804 or dsolodar@fsmontco.org if you are looking for more information about the SHARE Housing Program.
Updated: April 2024
Available Hosts:
Easton Area – Home host looking for sharer. Contribution to living expenses plus assistance with maintenance and chores. Bedroom and bath on 2nd floor. Host is on oxygen. No pets. No smokers. Near buses and shopping areas.
Bethlehem Area – Home host seeking. Seeking Contribution to living expenses and services for either bedroom or basement if seeker wants to renovate. Dog friendly. No smokers.
Easton Area – Home host seeking sharer for Contribution to living expenses. No smokers or drinkers, no pets. Must be independent
Bethlehem Area – Home host seeking sharer for first floor bedroom. Free parking available. Contribution to living expenses plus services. Must be able to perform maintenance and chores. No pets.
Tatamy Area – Home hose seeking 2 sharers for 2nd floor bedrooms. Free parking available. Contribution to living expenses plus services. No pets.
Bethlehem Area – Home host looking for sharer for single story home. Basement and yard access, parking available. Seeking Contribution to living expenses and companionship. Must be dog friendly.
Please contact Alberto Martinez at (484) 894-2961 or alberto@LVactivelife.org if you are looking for more information about the SHARE Housing Program.
Updated: April 2024
Available Hosts:
Coal Township – Home host seeks home sharer. House has a 2 partially furnished 2nd floor bedrooms with attic storage available. There is a private bathroom, yard, laundry in home, window A/C allowed internet and parking. Attic storage available. Host is a non-smoker but will allow an outdoor smoker. Host is a casual drinker. Host has 2 dogs and will not accept other pets.
Coal Township – Home host seeks home sharer. Home has 1st floor, furnished bedroom with private entrance. There is a private bathroom, yard, laundry in home, window A/C allowed, internet, cable, parking. Host able to provide transportation if needed. Located within walking distance of churches, stores, post office and restaurants. Host has 1 cat and 1 dog and will allow other pets. Host smokes indoors and will allow a smoker.
Northumberland – Home host seeking home seeker to increase companionship and complete simple household chores around the house, Also, looking for the home seeker to provide basic aid and attendance to home host’s brother and meal preparation. Home seeker would have own furnished room, private bathroom, and use of washer and dryer. No pets or smokers.
Northumberland – Home host seeking home seeker to increase overall companionship in the home setting. Home host is independent with everyday living activities but suffered a stroke that caused home host’s left arm and leg to become paralyzed. Requesting that home seeker have updated Covid shot, and flu shot up to date. Home host requesting bill share of lot rent, and split expenses of food. Home host smokes indoors and outdoors and would allow smoking in both. Small bedroom ready to be furnished.
Snydertown – Experience an historic town in the heartland of central PA. Home host inviting a home seeker in home for assistance with chores, and contribution to living. Home host maintains a regular routine, enjoys cooking, exercising, and attending religious functions. Searching for a home seeker who shares similar interest. Home seeker wanting some social interactions and enjoys casual interaction from time to time. Fully furnished room available to home seeker. No smoking and moderate consumption of alcohol would be acceptable.
Mount Carmel – Home host welcoming a home seeker into a “fixer-upper” two-story home. Home host would allow home seeker to complete home modification to suit the living standards of a home seeker. Home host lives a busy lifestyle taking care of multiple individuals in family with unique needs. Home host would prefer someone who would be willing to provide transportation to different locations where home host needs to travel too.
For Northumberland and Union/Snyder Counties, please contact Todd Kiger at 570-495-2372 or todd.kiger@ncaging.org if you are looking for more information about the SHARE Housing Program.
Updated: March 2024
Available Hosts:
Bushkill (Pine Ridge) – Male Host. Pets and indoor smoking permitted. Outdoor smoking and alcohol permitted. LBGTQ friendly. Host needs help with yardwork.
Milford (Woodlands) – Male Host. Sharer must be 60 or over. Smoking, Alcohol, and pets prohibited.
Bushkill (Ranchlands)-Male Host. Sharer must be 60 or over. Outdoor smoking and a cat permitted. Alcohol and dogs prohibited. Host only home on the weekends. Families welcome.
Bushkill (Pocono Mtn Lake Est.)-Female Host. Host has three dogs. Possible dog permitted. Alcohol and smoking prohibited. No stairs.
For Pike County, please contact Heather Dodd at hdodd@pikepa.org or 570-832-5133 if you are looking for more information about the SHARE Housing Program. Updated: April 2024
Available Hosts:
- Currently no available opportunities
For Northumberland and Union/Snyder Counties, please contact Todd Kiger at 570-495-2372 or todd.kiger@ncaging.org if you are looking for more information about the SHARE Housing Program.
Updated: March 2024
Available Hosts:
- Currently no available opportunities
For Northumberland and Union/Snyder Counties, please contact Todd Kiger at 570-495-2372 or todd.kiger@ncaging.org if you are looking for more information about the SHARE Housing Program.
Updated: March 2024
Available Hosts:
Moscow – Female Host. Outdoor smoker, alcohol and cat permitted. Host has a pet cat. Sharer will have their own bathroom.
Waymart – Male Host. Outdoor smoking and alcohol permitted. Handicapped accessible. Beautiful rural setting. Dog prohibited but Host has a service dog.
Lakewood – Male Host. Pets, smoking, and alcohol permitted. Security, meal preparation, and housework requested.
For Wayne County, please contact Christina Grape-Garvey at cgrapegarvey@pikepa.org or 570-817-3236 if you are looking for more information about the SHARE Housing Program.
Updated: April 2024