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COLUMN: HomeShare – what it isn't

Columnist Suzan Krecsy explains the ins and outs of a potential HomeShare program.
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Suzan Krecsy, the executive director of the St. Albert Food Bank says changes to legislation around food banks won't help. CHRIS COLBOURNE/St. Albert Gazette
The St. Albert Housing Coalition hosted the second HomeShare information session on June 25 and that, coupled with the first session resulted in some valuable feedback. This column will respond to that feedback, specially addressing what HomeShare is not!

HomeShare is not emergency housing.

The plans for the new HomeShare program include a comprehensive matching process. It is the careful matching of home seeker and home owner that is the cornerstone of the program. This process takes time and it is for this reason that HomeShare will not be seen as emergency housing. There are other more appropriate programs that can assist those in need of more emergency placement in the community.

HomeShare is not a quick process.

Reasonable expectations, good communication and patience provide the foundation for a good matching process and a successful HomeShare experience. There are two distinct pools of people involved in the process: the ones with a home to share and those needing an affordable place to live.

As reported by other programs, establishing a robust pool of home owners and potential home sharers is critical to the success of a HomeShare program and may take a considerable amount of time to develop. Once the matching process beings, variables such as smoking, the location of the home and even pets can rule out many possible pairings. When a potential match is made, extensive background checks and reference checking is vital to safeguard the security and wellbeing of both parties. Many people have expressed that safety issues are paramount to their comfort or reluctance in participating in a HomeShare program.

HomeShare is not a traditional housing program.

HomeShare is not a traditional housing program that simply matches the next person on the list with the next house on the list. Program staff will assist in the process of opening up communication between two prospective candidates and may arrange initial face to face meetings. This experience may result in a home owner and/or home seeker realizing that HomeShare is not for them. If this happens then staff may be able to explore other more appropriate options for the individuals in question.

HomeShare is not a replacement for a home care or home nursing program.

Both the potential home seeker and home owner should be in reasonable health. A successful HomeShare pairing may involve an older home owner renting to a younger individual who may help with light chores such as snow removal, lawn care or walking a pet. The expectation would not be that the home seeker be responsible to provide personal care or respite for the older home owner.

A community HomeShare workshop is planned for the fall. The Coalition will be looking for feedback from potential HomeShare landlords and tenants as to what criteria is important to them.

The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at the St. Albert Community Village. It runs from 2 to 4 p.m. To pre-register, please email [email protected]. Please note that the workshop will be held in-person unless changes are necessary due to Albert Health Services requirements.

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