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:
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 public transit so a car would be best.
Ottsville - host, non-smoker/non-drinker, looking for a non-smoking/non-drinking female to share. Apartment has a fully furnished bedroom located on first fl and a shared bathroom. Host has two cats and would be open to an additional cat. (Host is extremely neat and clean and wants the same.) Apartment is located on first fl with approx. 4 steps into building. Pay washer and dryer are located across the hall. Sharer would need their own vehicle because area is quite rural.
Philadelphia (East Oak Lane), - host has a two-story home, one and a half baths. Second floor furnished bedroom with two twin beds, basement laundry. On street parking, backyard, outdoor shed, and basement storage. Close to public transportation. One cat in home, no additional pets allowed. Seeking female non-smoker, non-drinker.
Newtown- host with two story townhouse, private second floor furnished bedroom and private bath. Laundry, internet, deck, and yard. One large dog, no other pets are allowed no smoking, some drinking okay.
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: July 2024
Available Hosts:
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: July 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 prefers no additional pets. Within walking distance of bus stop, and off-street parking.
Meadville Area – Host prefers no pets but may consider a dog. Offering an unfurnished mother-in-law suite, kitchen area of suite has no appliances. Private bathroom, ranch style home with 10 steps outside to enter home. Cable and Wi-Fi available, off-street parking (car needed). Outside smoking permitted, responsible alcohol use.
Cochranton Area – Host looking for a dog lover (has 3 inside dogs) Remote farm location, no public transportation. New ranch home with 3 steps to enter. Outside smoking permitted, responsible alcohol use. A furnished room, or basement can be converted into a bedroom if sharer is looking for their own space.
Saegertown – (pending match) 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, and 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.
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 for a reduction in 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.
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: July 2024
Available Hosts:
Arrow Lake Area – Home Host looking for Sharer. No smoking, no drinking. One-bedroom, shared bath.
East Stroudsburg – Home Host looking for Sharer – student or career minded person. One bedroom and private bath. No pets. Looking for 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.
Long Pond – Home Host looking for Sharer. One-bedroom, shared bath. No pets. Looking for contribution to household expenses.
Cherry Valley – Home Host couple looking for Sharer. Private caretaker cabin. Looking for help inside the main home including cooking, housework, companionship. No Pets. Looking to begin sharing October 1, 2024.
Saylorsburg – Home host looking for Sharer. One bedroom and private bath. No pets. Looking for contribution to household expenses. Property is part of the Garden of Giving. – Introduction scheduled.
Kunkletown – Home host looking for Sharer. 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: July 2024
Available Hosts
Allentown – Male home host seeks male or female home sharer, flexible with age group. House has an unfurnished 2nd floor bedroom, with shared bathroom. There is a yard, internet, and off-street parking. Host is a non-smoker and wants a non-smoker. Host is a non-drinker and prefer the same for their home sharer. Host does not have pets and will not accept any pets. Host is looking for a person that is a great communicator. Host is looking for contribution to living expenses and resource exchange.
Allentown – Female home host seeks home sharer, male or female, between the ages of 18-60. Home has furnished 2nd floor bedroom with shared bathroom. There is a yard, no laundry room and off-street parking. Hosts are non-smokers and prefer a non-smoker. Host has no pets and does not want any pets. Host is looking for a very high contribution to living expenses and resource exchange.
Allentown – Female & Male home hosts seek home sharer, male or female, between the ages of 26-60. Home has unfurnished 1st floor bedroom with shared bathroom. There is parking for a car and laundry facilities. Host is a lite smoker and prefers a non-smoker but will be ok with an outdoor smoker. Host has no pets and does not want pets. Host is looking for contribution to living expenses and resource exchange.
Allentown – Female home host seeks home sharer, male, female w/wo child, between the ages of 40-60+. Home has furnished 2nd floor bedroom with shared bathroom. There is a yard, no laundry room and off-street parking. Hosts are non-smokers and prefer a non-smoker. Host has no pets and does not want any pets. Host is looking for a very high contribution to living expenses and resource exchange.
Emmaus – Female home host seeks home sharer. Home has a furnished 1st floor bedroom, with semi-private bathroom. There is a patio, walking paths, pool, and a rec center. There is access to laundry, internet, and parking. Host is a non-smoker but will allow an outdoor smoker. Host is a social drinker and will allow a social drinker. Host has 2 pets; one cat and one small dog and pet sits a dog. Host does not want any additional pets. Host is looking for contribution to living expenses and resource exchange.
Emmaus – Male home host seeks male or female home sharer between the ages of 26-60+. Home has a furnished 2nd floor bedroom, with private bathroom. Host is an outdoor smoker and will allow outdoor smoking, never inside. Host has no pets and will not allow any pets. Host is looking for a sharer that works and can join him for conversations once sharer arrives from work. Host is looking for contribution to living expenses and resource exchange.
Whitehall – Male home host seeks female home sharer between the ages of 26-60+. Home sharer can have a child. Home has a furnished 2nd floor bedroom, with private bathroom. Host is a non-smoker and will not allow any smoking. Host has one medium sized dog and will allow sharer to bring a small dog or cat. Host is looking for contribution to living expenses and resource exchange.
Macungie – Female home host seeks home sharer, male or female between the ages of 26-60+ and will accept a single parent with a child. Home has a furnished 1st floor bedroom, with private bathroom. There is a patio, yard and wheelchair ramp. Home sharer will need a car to get around. There is access to laundry, internet, and parking. Home host is a very heavy smoker and will welcome another smoker. Home host does not want a person that drinks. Home host does not have any pets but is willing to accept one cat or one dog. Cat has to be declawed and dog has to be well trained. Host is looking for contribution to living expenses and resource exchange.
Please contact Annette Rodriguez at (610) 936-2082 or annette@lvactivelife.orgif you are looking for more information about the SHARE Housing Program.
Updated: July 2024
Avaiable Hosts:
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. Is interested in contribution toward living expenses.
Glenside – female senior host has a second-floor suite that consists of a bedroom, bathroom and sitting area. Host is agreeable to an outdoor smoker and a small dog is possible. Is interested in a contribution toward living expenses.
Elkins Park – Female host has 3 bedrooms available. Two bedrooms are on the second floor, one bedroom that consists of a bedroom, bathroom and sitting area is on the ground floor. A small dog is possible. Is interested in a contribution toward living expenses.
Souderton – Female host has 2-bedroom apartment with shared bath. She has 2 cats, turtles, fish. Interested in a contribution toward living expenses. Apartment is up one flight of stairs,
Lansdale – female host has a rented 3-bedroom townhome with a shared bath and a half bath. Bedrooms are all on second floor. One bedroom is available. Cat or small dog is acceptable. Interested in a contribution toward living expenses.
Lansdale – senior male host in a own home who is interested in a female sharer who can help provide resource exchange in exchange for the contribution toward living expenses. Needs to have a car.
Pottstown – senior male host in a 2-bedroom apartment. Prefers male sharer. Is interested primarily in a contribution toward living expenses. No pets.
Hatboro – senior female host in own home. Looking for a female sharer and primarily a contribution toward living expenses. A cat is permitted.
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: July 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 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. Host is looking for contribution to living expenses and resource exchange.
Northumberland - Home host seeking home seeker for significant in-home support. Home host demonstrating age-related difficulties in completing larger household task. Other members reside at home. Home host wanting a home seeker to engage in mutually satisfying activities. Home host would be able to provide a home seeker with transportation. Moderate consumption of alcohol acceptable and outdoor smoking acceptable. Home host negotiable on the contribution to living expenses.
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 expenses. 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 to engage in mutually satisfying activities and social interaction. Fully furnished room available to home seeker. No smoking and moderate consumption of alcohol would be acceptable.
Sunbury - Second floor bedroom available to home seeker in exchange for contributions to living expenses and assistance with household chores. Home host searching for a home seeker to aid with household task. Home host having difficulties in household completion and becomes tired when completing household task. Would be negotiable on the contribution to living expenses if home seeker is able to assist in completing household task. Home host accepting of small animals, would allow moderate drinking, and smoking outside. Can assist home seeker with transportation needs, and meal preparation.
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: July 2024
Available Hosts:
Bushkill - Female Host, has three dogs and will accept Sharer with a dog. Smoking prohibited. Private bathroom for Sharer. Zero step entry, wheelchair accessible
Newfoundland - Female Host, 4-bedroom home, open to accept 3 Sharers to Share home. Host seeking assistance with chores and upkeep of home. Sharers must have own transportation.
Newfoundland - Female Host with home on 30 acres. Outdoor smoking and pets permitted. Sharer would have private bathroom on second floor of home.
Hemlock Farms - Male Host with current female sharer. Second floor room. Smoking prohibited indoor and outdoor. Beautiful, gated community with many amenities. Sharer must have own transportation.
Bushkill (Pine Ridge) - Male Host. Pets and indoor smoking permitted. Outdoor smoking and alcohol permitted. LBGTQ friendly. Host needs assistance with outdoor chores.
Milford (Woodlands) - Male Host. Sharer must be 60 or older. Smoking, Alcohol, and pets prohibited.
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: July 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: July 2024
Available Hosts:
West Milton- Home host seeking home seeker for in-home support and transportation to medical appointments. Home host independent, works full-time from home. Home host suffered an unfortunate medical event, which has cause 0lder adult to experience blindness in peripheral vision. Seeking home seeker that can assist home host with everyday living task. Must have valid driver’s license and be able to assist with transportation needs. No smokers, moderate consumption of alcohol acceptable. Would have furnished room with cable TV and all the amenities of the common areas would be available to home seeker.
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.
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. Farmhouse on scenic dairy farm. Second floor bedroom with private bath. Contribution to household expenses requested, along with some assistance with errands and companionship. Host has two outside dogs, besides many cows.
Honesdale – Female Host. Beautiful Victorian home; close to library, hospital, and local businesses. No pets or smoking; alcohol permitted. Sharer will have private living quarters on the third floor, including bedroom and bathroom. Financial contribution for household expenses requested.
Lakewood – Male Host. Pets, smoking, and alcohol permitted. Security, meal preparation, and some 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: July 2024