Home Sharing For Seniors

What is the Home Sharing Program?

New York Foundation for Senior Citizens' Home Sharing Program matches compatible persons in shared-living arrangements in dwellings rented or owned by one of the participants. The program seeks to match persons for whom sharing of living arrange-ments would enhance their financial and/or social well being, promote companionship and relieve feelings of isolation. Potential clients are screened through applications, references and personal interviews. If approved, they are matched with a compatible sharemate. An interview between host and guest introduces them to the possibility of sharing living quarters.

What Services are Provided?

The professional social work staff will provide:

Comprehensive, confidential screen-ing, intake and matching services
Assistance with negotiating shared-living arrangements
Referral for appropriate program-related government entitlements and/or social service programs.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must be independent, medically and mentally stable and non-substance abusing.

Prospective Hosts are persons 60 years of age and older, who own or rent apartments or homes in one of the City's five boroughs and wish to share part of their dwellings with another compatible person.

Hosts must be willing to make reasonable financial and social arrangements and have homes, which are suitable and safe for the placement guests.

Prospective Guests are persons 18 years or older, who wish to share part of a dwelling with a compatible elderly host. The guest must be able to live independently and be willing to make reasonable financial and social arrangements.

Benefits of Home Sharing

It provides affordable housing;
Reduces feelings of loneliness and isolation;
Maintains independence in a community setting;
Reduces cost of living; and
Maintains security.

What is the Cost?

This program is made possible by grants administered by the New York State Office for the Aging and New York City Department for the Aging. There is no charge for the Home Sharing Program services. However, home sharing participants are responsible for all housing-related expenses.

For further information, call 962-7559 and ssk for the Home Sharing Program Social Worker.

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