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Shared Housing Program

Shared Housing Program

a program for older adults ages 55+ in Washtenaw County

 

What is Shared Housing?

Shared housing is a long-term living arrangement where people share a home, each with their own private space and shared common areas.

Aspects of what shared housing provides:

  • Private space, shared home
    Everyone has their own room, but shares communal areas, creating both independence and a sense of community.

  • Two roles, one partnership
    A home provider offers a furnished or unfurnished room. A home seeker may contribute by paying affordable rent, helping with household tasks, or a combination of both.

  • Flexible arrangements
    Each match is unique — designed to meet the needs, preferences, and lifestyles of the people involved.

  • More than saving money
    Shared housing can reduce loneliness, provide mutual support, and increase feelings of safety and stability — especially for older adults, single individuals, or those seeking companionship.

This Shared Housing Program is coordinated by the Washtenaw Housing Alliance (WHA) and is supported through the generous contributions of our funding and grant partners.

Everyone has their own room, but shares communal areas, creating both independence and a sense of community.

Each match is unique — designed to meet the needs, preferences, and lifestyles of the people involved.

 

Who Can Participate in the Shared Housing Program?

Home Providers – Individuals With a Spare Bedroom

  • Own or rent a home in Washtenaw County

  • Have a private room to offer

  • Interested in companionship, home help, or extra income

  • Willing to share common areas and set expectations

  • Must pass reference checks, interview, and home visit

  • Sign a Shared Housing Agreement with the home seeker

Home Seekers – Individuals Seeking Affordable Housing

  • Looking for safe, stable, and affordable housing (example rent ranges: $0–$750)

  • Often older adults themselves, or value intergenerational living

  • May pay rent, provide services, or a combination of both

  • Complete screening, interview, and reference checks

  • Respectfully share the space and responsibilities

  • Sign a Shared Housing Agreement with the home provider

Shared housing can reduce loneliness, provide mutual support, and increase feelings of safety and stability.

Eligibility:

  • At least one participant must be 55+

  • Must live in Washtenaw County

  • WHA provides:

    • Intake & screening

    • Background and reference checks

    • Interviews and match introductions

    • Written agreements

    • Ongoing check-ins and mediation

 

WHA’s Shared Housing Program is partly modeled on Housing Bureau for Seniors (HBS) HomeShare Program that they coordinated before it ended in 2020. Back in 2019, HBS staff and one of their program’s home seekers were interviewed on WEMU 89.1FM’s Washtenaw United to share about this successful program.

Listen to their interview here.

 

Questions about the program or applying? Please connect with the following WHA staff:

Danielle Bryant, Shared Housing Program Coordinator, bryantd@washtenaw.org

Sharon Lapides, Community Housing Locator, lapidess@washtenaw.org