HomeShare Vermont, a nonprofit that connects people with extra space in their homes to those in need of affordable housing, is bringing its services to Windham and Windsor counties.
With an acute need for all types of housing in the state, HomeShare Vermont's model will be another "tool in the housing toolbox for this region," said Connor Timmons, HomeShare's executive director.
Timmons presented the matchmaking service at a recent meeting of the Housing Coalition of Southeastern Vermont, a cross-sector planning body focused on housing and homelessness in the area.
Founded in 1982, HomeShare Vermont began as a volunteer effort to help aging Vermonters remain in their homes while addressing the shortage of affordable housing. The model is straightforward: It matches homeowners - often older Vermonters or people with disabilities - with guests seeking affordable accommodations.
With its expansion into Windham and Windsor counties, HomeShare Vermont now serves 12 of Vermont's 14 counties, as well as several towns in Rutland County.
Matches often combine reduced rent with help in the home, such as cooking, yard work, snow removal, or transportation. Thirty percent of HomeShare's guests pay no rent at all in exchange for providing these services.
Rent is capped at $650 per month for shared living arrangements, and homeowners can charge up to $850 per month for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) - a secondary housing unit on the property - to stay competitive in the local ADU rental market.
Although the program was designed for older Vermonters, there are no age restrictions, and Timmons said, "Over the years, we have found it works just as well for anyone."
"We have guests who have shared for two years to save for a down payment on a house, or to help pay off student debt," he added.
HomeShare Vermont's expansion into southeast Vermont is made possible through a partnership with the Windham & Windsor Housing Trust (WWHT), which will provide a locally based case manager trained to match hosts and guests in the region.
The program's vetting process is extensive, involving multiple background and reference checks, as well as in-person interviews with both hosts and guests.
"We interview to find out everything," said Timmons. "We ask about employment, interests, hobbies, favorite TV and radio shows. It can seem a little invasive at first, but people quickly realize that the more we know, the better match we're going to make. Our goal is a lasting, comfortable arrangement."
Because finding a match can take three to six months, "we're not an emergency housing option," Timmons explained. "But we can be helpful for someone who's going to be able to hop to a couple of different places before they land with a home."
Matches that change lives
Several of the program's recent matches were featured in a HomeShare Vermont video highlighting real-life stories from participants.
In Williston, Richard, a widower with a large home, said, "It's nice to have other people utilize it with me." His match, Erin, brought along her cat, Ferdinand.
"When I interviewed with Erin, before we made a final decision, I asked her to bring the cat over and see if we would all get along [...] it was an almost immediate, 'Yes, this is OK. This will work,'" he said.
Nancy, an 81-year-old resident of Williston, described her relationship with her 45-year-old home sharer, Khawar: "After he comes home from a hard day, we share smiles and stories, and we end up laughing. We kind of match up."
Khawar added, "There are so many benefits of home sharing - socially, physically, even spiritually."
Another host, Niles, facing severe mobility issues, explained, "I can't get around. With arthritis in my hands, I can't cook." Rick, his home sharer, responded, "If I can make it easier for him, I will."
Impact beyond dollars
In fiscal year 2025, HomeShare Vermont facilitated 198 home sharing arrangements, providing housing for 300 individuals. Hosts collectively earned $395,300 in rental income, while guests paid an average of $379 in rent, resulting in a savings of $880,670 compared to market rates.
HomeShare Vermont is funded by state and federal dollars, as well as private donations. In fiscal year 2025, the state provided $480,000 to the organization, which included $161,924 of matching federal funds.
According to HomeShare's promotional materials, these funds yielded $1.44 million in savings for Vermonters. Guests provided nearly 38,000 hours of assistance, saving hosts more than $560,000 in potential care costs.
Timmons reported that in a recent survey of HomeShare participants, 80% of hosts reported feeling happier, safer, and less lonely after welcoming a home sharer. Over one-third of senior hosts say they could not have continued living safely and comfortably at home without their guests' assistance.
"The relationships are the magic," Timmons said. "People share meals, laughter, even art projects - it's about more than housing."
Two home-sharing organizations share the work.
HomeShare Vermont will coordinate with the local nonprofit Sharing Housing Inc. (SharingHousing.com).
Founded in 2017 by Annamarie Pluhar, of Putney, the organization focuses on educating and encouraging people to arrange home shares themselves. Pluhar, author of Sharing Housing: A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates, promotes a self-managed matching approach - providing online courses, workshops, and resources rather than facilitating matches directly.
Additionally, through its SHIFT (Shared Housing Incentives for Taking Action) program, Sharing Housing offers homeowners up to $500 in home improvements to prepare a home for shared living.
"Home sharing is a win-win," said Timmons. "It helps our neighbors stay in the homes and communities they love, while opening doors for those who need a place to live. Expanding in southern Vermont means we can create even more of these mutually beneficial matches."
For more information, visit HomeShareVermont.org or call 802-863-5625.
This News item by Ellen Pratt was written for The Commons.