The Osceola Council on Aging (OCOA) has managed Osceola County’s Home Sharing Program for nearly eight years. One of only three such initiatives across the State of Florida, including comparable outreach programs hosted in Broward and Pinellas counties, home-sharing in Florida is not overseen by the state, but consists of independent, localized organizations, nonprofit initiatives, and private organizations who match home providers with home seekers.
“Offering Home Sharing opportunities for community residents is an important initiative our organization offers,” said Sandra Alvarez, Osceola Council on Aging, St. Cloud Housing Assistant. “Without this program, a portion of community residents might not have the opportunity to live in a safe, affordable residence.”
Funded in conjunction with the Osceola County Human Services division, the Home Sharing project is an added component in supporting the need for low-income housing in the Osceola community. The program also complements the Council’s mission to not only support affordable housing, but expand upon those needs, especially since our organization consistently manages waiting lists for apartment options within our affordable housing complexes.
Home Sharing is simply co-housing, co-living, and/or renting a room from the owner/ occupant of a residence, whether it be a home, condominium, or apartment. The arrangement enables two or more people to share housing for their mutual benefit, whether it be financial, safety, or simply socialization.
A homeowner can offer a private bedroom and shared communal area in exchange for rent, work around the house, or a combination of the two. Fundamentally, the arrangement is about people helping people, and community residents helping their neighbors.
“Each Home Sharing arrangement is unique. To date, the Council on Aging has placed more than one-hundred renters, with homeowners, over the past few years,” Alvarez added.
The OCOA works as a coordinating liaison interfacing with the homeowner and potential renter to explore suitable matches. Matches can easily include students, working professionals, senior citizens, and any other population. All participants, including homeowners/occupants and potential renters, are required to complete extensive applications to determine living compatibility. Questionnaires consist of inquiries related to housekeeping habits, smoking, pets, and even driving capabilities.
Applications also include income and financial responsibilities such as rental deposits and residential costs which often include charges for electric, water, and cable, depending on the negotiated terms. If a match is made, the Council will oversee the execution of all lease agreements.
As a member of the National Shared Housing Resource Center, the OCOA is part of a network of independent, non-profit, Home Sharing organizations. The overall goal is to raise awareness of the myriads of benefits of home sharing, while encouraging best practices and increased Home Sharing opportunities across the United States. With this mission, the national team supports the health, wellness, and socialization of our seniors, and most importantly, their safety.
To learn more about the Council on Aging’s local Home Sharing criteria, call Sandra Alvarez, at 407-8911467. For information on the National Shared Housing Resource Center, and Home Sharing opportunities across the country, go to https://www. nationalsharedhousing.org/.
