Stillwater nonprofit offers Minnesota
seniors another way to 'age in place'

BY LEE KAPLAN—
More and more seniors want to stay in their homes — "age in place." But when chores become too difficult or they have trouble shopping or meeting their bills, many are forced to sell their homes and move — even when their health is okay — because they need a little help.

A Stillwater nonprofit is pairing seniors with housemates who agree to help around the house in exchange for reduced rent.

HomeShare St. Croix helps seniors who might need help with shopping or housekeeping or want companionship but are otherwise able to live alone. Home owners who need more extensive health or nursing care are not eligible for the program.

The program is an example of the alternatives to senior housing that are springing up around the country, such as "virtual retirement communities" and reflect the desire of seniors to stay in their own homes as long as possible.

Home matchmakers

Using the model of "independence through interdependence," HomeShare St. Croix matches home owners who need some support (for example, with finances, companionship, shopping, or housekeeping) with home seekers who need low-cost housing and are willing to provide services to the home owner in a shared living environment with lower rent. HomeShare serves Washington and Ramsey counties, as well as several neighboring counties in Wisconsin.

Home sharing got its start in the early '80s in southern California, but there are still relatively few programs operating in other parts of the country. The Stillwater organization is the only one of its kind in the state. Since it began in June 2006, HomeShare St. Croix has made nine matches; four of them have lasted more than 16 months.

The program is not restricted to seniors. Younger home owners, particularly single parents, are encouraged to participate. But, currently, all home owner participants are seniors, with the average home owner being 79 1/2 and the average home seeker, 54 years old.

How HomeShare St. Croix works

Home owners are matched with home seekers through a "dating service"-like procedure that involves both parties completing questionnaires. Information gathered includes education, employment and criminal history, housing history, a health overview, and pet ownership. In addition, each party is asked about expectations for space and amenities, services that would be exchanged for housing, hours involved, and overall expectations for the home sharing arrangement.

Screening is thorough. Both home owner and home seeker candidates undergo interviews, criminal background checks and personal reference checks. HomeShare St. Croix staff visit the home owner for an in-home assessment before any match is made.

All match meetings are done with HomeShare staff present. The process continues with multiple phone-calls to both the home owner and home seeker to find what their interests are in one another, the expectations of each, general routine of the individual, location of home, and space available. If each party continues to be interested, a meeting is set up at the homeowner's house. The HomeShare staff and home seeker go to the interview together and discussions are held about what each party is looking for as well as interests and routines. Then as many meetings take place as are needed to verify confidence in the match on the part of both parties. If both agree, a contract is set-up and they begin the 30-day trial period.

HomeShare staff checks in with the home owner and home seeker during the trial period and then at several points during the first year to address any concerns either party may have. The program is designed to create long-term matches; home seekers looking for short term housing are discouraged from applying.

Donor-funded

HomeShare St. Croix gets its funding through community foundations and private donations. A one-time $2,500 fee, paid by the home owner after a successful match following the 30-day trial period, funds the balance of the service. Scholarships are available to home owners who cannot afford the entire fee. There is no lease between the parties and HomeShare St. Croix, because it is not a rental service.

For more information, view the online video on the bottom of this page on the HomeShare St. Croix Web page.

(Posted February 25, 2009)