Homeshare

Homeshare is a living arrangement where two people share a home for mutual benefit.

A person with a spare room (the Householder) is matched with someone looking for affordable accommodation (the Homesharer).

In return for low-cost accommodation, the Homesharer provides companionship and practical support around the home.

How Homeshare works

The Householder offers a spare room in their home.

The Homesharer provides around 10 hours of agreed support each week and pays a monthly Homeshare fee.

Support may include:

• shopping
• light household tasks
• sharing meals
• company and conversation
• reassurance and social support

Homesharers do not provide personal care or nursing care.

If personal care is needed, Homeshare can work alongside existing care and support services.

Who Homeshare can help

Householders

Homeshare can help Householders:

• reduce loneliness and isolation
• enjoy companionship and social connection
• receive support with everyday tasks
• feel more secure at home
• remain living independently for longer
• provide reassurance for family members

Learn more about Homesharing

Homesharers

Homeshare can help Homesharers:

• access affordable accommodation
• enjoy a safe and welcoming home environment
• build meaningful relationships
• contribute to their local community
• benefit from a stable living arrangement

Homeshare can be particularly helpful for:

• students
• key workers
• young professionals
• people struggling to access affordable housing

How to get started

Safety and support

We take care to ensure Homeshare arrangements are safe and successful.

Before a match is agreed, we carry out:

• application and assessment processes
• interviews
• reference checks
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where appropriate
• careful matching based on needs, interests and lifestyles

We continue to support both Householders and Homesharers throughout the arrangement through regular contact and monitoring.

Oversight and quality assurance

Homeshare is not a regulated care service because Homesharers do not provide personal care or medical care.

As a result, Homeshare schemes are not regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Instead, Homeshare operates within a recognised national framework that includes:

• membership of Homeshare UK
• alignment with Shared Lives Plus
• a national quality assurance framework
• safeguarding procedures
• ongoing monitoring and support
• clear legal agreements and professional standards

This helps ensure Homeshare arrangements are safe, ethical and effective, while maintaining the flexibility and community focus that make Homeshare unique.

Watch the video

Watch this short video to learn more about Homeshare and hear how it can benefit both Householders and Homesharers.