HomeShare Matching Feasibility Study

Every community in Cumberland County has large homes that once teemed with children and family life. Today many such homes are occupied by one or two people, often elders struggling to maintain, heat and pay taxes on their property. We also know the challenges many young or single adults face in finding appropriate and affordable living arrangements. Could these two problems have a single solution?

A successful program operated in Vermont by the organization HomeShare, Vermont, may provide a model. This home sharing program matches those with room to spare, primarily but not exclusively elders, with those seeking affordable housing. The program provides housemate and home matching services and most importantly - follow-up support.

In 2011 Cumberland County recieved almost $10,000 in CDBG planning funds to examine the possibility of creating a similar program in Cumberland County.This planning study will investigate the feasibility of establishing a HomeShare program for Cumberland County. Tasks include: creating an Advisory Board, hiring a consultant examine the program’s potential and the creation of a plan to launch the new program. The study will identify the target market, host & partner agencies, short & long-term funding and any legal or liability issues.

Current advisory board partners include: Cumberland County, South Portland, Westbrook, Freeport, Westbrook Housing Authority, Portland Planning Department, Biddeford Community Development, Southern Maine Agency on Aging, Avesta Housing, and PROP.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Trice, Grants & Special Projects Coordinator at 207-871-8380.