Home sharing is for people who want to stay rooted in the communities they call home, and who are open to doing it together.

For home providers, it's a way to stay in the home you love while gaining a companion and earning income that helps make it sustainable. For home seekers, it's access to affordable housing in a real home, with a real person, at a rental price that makes sense.

HomeShare Online was built specifically for older adults looking to age in place, and our platform reflects that, from the matching process to the safety standards to the community we've built around it.

HomeShare Online is available in all 50 states. Since launching, the platform has welcomed over 85,000 users, with thousands of people actively searching for or offering home sharing arrangements across the country at any given time.

HomeShare Online is also distributed through a network of partner organizations (nonprofits, housing agencies, and community programs) that use the platform to serve their local communities.

Creating your profile is the first step. You'll be asked about your lifestyle, preferences, and what you're looking for in a home sharing arrangement. The more detail you provide, the better your matches will be.

Getting started requires a one-time setup fee of $125, which covers identity verification, your initial background check, and six months of platform access. A refundable $50 deposit is also collected upfront.

If you're connecting through a local organization, reach out to them first as they may have resources to help you get started.

HomeShare Online is purpose-built to serve older adults who want to age in place, and our safety standards reflect that commitment. We've designed every layer of the platform with this community in mind.

• Every user is identity verified before they can connect with any match. No exceptions.
• An active background check is required to remain on the platform. Checks must be no more than six months old, so the community stays current. Users are encouraged to share their background check with potential matches, though sharing is at each user's discretion.
• Your real name and contact information are never visible on your profile. All communication stays within the platform until you're ready.
• Payment processing is handled by industry-leading third-party vendors. We never store your payment information on our servers.

HomeShare Online is a paid platform, and the fee structure is designed to cover the cost of bringing you safely and securely onto it.

Getting started requires a one-time setup fee of $125, which covers identity verification, your initial background check, and six months of platform access. A refundable deposit of $50 is also collected upfront and returned when you find a match or leave the platform.

After six months, you can renew for $45, which includes an updated background check and continued platform access. Renewal is never automatic. You will receive a reminder when your access period is approaching its end, and renewing is always your choice.

The $125 setup fee and $45 renewal fee are non-refundable. Only the $50 deposit is refundable.

Partner organizations may offer coupon or discount codes to reduce or cover these costs for their participants. If you're working with a local home sharing organization in your area, reach out to them directly to ask what's available.

We recently updated our pricing model and want to make sure the transition is as smooth as possible for everyone already on the platform.

If you joined for free, you can continue using HomeShare Online at no charge through December 31, 2026. After that date, you will need to renew your account for $45, which includes an updated background check and six more months of platform access. We will send you reminders as that date approaches.

If you were on a monthly subscription plan, please reach out to our support team and we will switch you to the renewal rate of $45 for six months. Contact HomeShare Online using the details in the Contact Us section above.

HomeShare Online is built on proprietary matching software developed specifically for home sharing. Rather than showing you every available listing, the platform surfaces only the people who are genuinely compatible with your lifestyle, schedule, and preferences. The more complete your profile, the better your matches.

Most people find a match within three months, though it can take longer. Home sharing means inviting someone into your personal space, or accepting that invitation into someone else's home. That kind of trust takes time to build, and we think that's exactly as it should be.

New home providers and home seekers join the platform all the time, so your options grow as you search. And if you ever decide home sharing isn't right for you, you can leave the platform at any time and your $50 deposit will be refunded in full.

A match is an introduction, not a commitment. You're always in control of who you connect with and how the relationship develops. Once you connect with someone, you can message them securely within the platform and take your time getting to know them before making any decisions. When you're both ready, you can choose to share contact information and move forward.

HomeShare Online provides a Home Sharing Agreement template to help both parties establish clear expectations from the start. We encourage all users to use it, but if you're looking for a legally binding document tailored to your situation, we recommend consulting an attorney.

Rent is handled directly between the home provider and the home seeker. HomeShare Online does not collect or process rent payments, and that's intentional. Financial security is central to why people choose home sharing, and we believe 100% of that income should stay where it belongs and we believe 100% of that income should stay where it belongs, between the two people sharing the home..

It's important to understand that home sharing arrangements are not covered by landlord/tenant law or affordable housing protections. This is something to be aware of as you enter into any agreement.

If an arrangement isn't working out, there is no formal resolution process through HomeShare Online or HomeShare Oregon. We encourage individuals to seek local mediation or conflict resolution services if needed.

No. Home sharing arrangements fall outside traditional housing regulations and are not governed by landlord/tenant law, fair housing protections, or affordable housing oversight. This is part of what makes home sharing flexible and accessible, but it also means both parties are responsible for understanding the terms of their arrangement.

This is why we provide a Home Sharing Agreement template and strongly encourage both the home provider and the home seeker to review it carefully before moving in together. If you have questions about your specific situation, we recommend consulting an attorney.

We want home sharing to be accessible to everyone, and we know that technology isn't always easy. Getting started on the platform does require a smartphone for the identity verification process. If you don't have one or need assistance with this step, reach out to your local home sharing organization and they can help you get set up.

For all other technical questions, account help, and platform support, HomeShare Online's support team is here for you. Contact details are listed above.

Your local home sharing organization is your point of contact for anything related to home sharing itself such as questions about the process, the program, or finding the right fit in your community.

You can update your profile, preferences, and contact information at any time from your account settings. Keeping your profile current improves your matches, so we encourage users to revisit it regularly.

If you decide to leave the platform, you can cancel at any time. For help with any account issue, contact HomeShare Online's support team using the details in the Contact Us section above.

Your $50 deposit is fully refundable. When your 6-month access period ends, you will receive email reminders with instructions on how to claim it. You have 60 days from the end of your account period to submit your request. After 60 days, unclaimed deposits are no longer available.

To request your deposit at any time, contact HomeShare Online's support team using the details in the Contact Us section above.