Community Corner
Home Match: Building Community Through Shared Housing
The program reflects a top priority for San Leandro: ensuring housing for all while fostering a spirit of belonging.
This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.
In today’s housing market, finding affordable and stable housing can be an overwhelming challenge, especially for older adults and those living on fixed incomes. Home Match is helping address this challenge by connecting people with extra space in their homes to those who need an affordable place to live. Beyond housing, the program fosters connection, reliability, and belonging.
“We're helping folks enter the market to meet their own needs and help other folks in the community meet their needs,” says Luke Barnesmoore, Managing Director of Strategy at Home Match. “We're making it as easy as possible for somebody to do that, while mitigating the risk. We're also doing a lot of the legwork so someone can feel comfortable entering the market and feel like it's not an overbearing process to do so.”
Many homeowners initially feel hesitant about inviting someone new into their home. But when framed as an opportunity to support others (like a local teacher struggling with housing costs), the choice becomes empowering. Instead of focusing on financial need, participants can share with friends and neighbors that they are helping someone vital to the community. This reframing shifts the narrative from dependence to contribution, making home sharing a point of pride.
Anne is a 90-year-old homeowner who wanted to continue aging in her longtime community. After losing her spouse and experiencing a fall, her adult children worried about her living alone. While she didn’t need extra income, she did need companionship and the peace of mind that someone would be there in case of an emergency. Through Home Match, she opened her home at a below-market rate to Russ, another older adult living on a fixed income. Russ faced rising housing costs and living with disabilities, was at risk of being priced out of the community. The match provided safe, affordable housing for the renter while giving the homeowner reassurance and company. Both were able to remain rooted in the neighborhoods they love.
Anne and Russ
Hear Anne and Russ share their Home Match story in this video testimonial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmboH6zApN4
The vetting process for Home Match is based on over ten years of experience and includes a detailed questionnaire that spans around 15 pages. This screening extends beyond basic questions, such as guest policies or cleaning expectations, to cover more subtle issues that often come up in shared living.
“For instance, participants are asked about household temperature preferences for different seasons since utility costs can become points of conflict,” Barnesmoore says. “The goal is to clarify all expectations before signing an agreement and to make sure both parties feel comfortable with each other.”
Once participants move in together, Home Match continues to provide ongoing support throughout the relationship. Staff members check in and are available to troubleshoot common challenges, such as disagreements about shared spaces.
By focusing on clear, logistical solutions, the program helps prevent small problems from turning into personal or emotional conflicts. This proactive approach creates a framework for successful co-living, allowing participants to maintain harmony and enjoy the benefits of a supportive, mutually respectful home environment.
For more information about Home Match, visit their website (https://frontporch.net/live/home-match/) or call them at 510-350-4367.
This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.
