Shared Housing Center was created in 1984 to provide and facilitate affordable housing options. Our mission has been to offer housing options and supportive services that foster independence, empowerment, and self-worth and to serve a multicultural, inter-generational population. Since our inception, we have offered housing and services to critically at-risk populations--older adults, single parents with young children, and persons with special needs--seeking to elevate themselves from homeless and near-homeless situations to lifestyles of relative self-sufficiency.
The Homeshare Program facilitates arrangements between individuals who have more housing than they need with people and/or families in need of housing. Typically the person with the home is female, head of household who has outlived her spouse. Her immediate family is quite mobile and busy raising their own families. Her friends have aged along with her and struggle to remain independent. They are house rich and money poor, struggling to pay utilities, maintenance of the home and taxes. They seek a roommate who can contribute minimally to the finances and substantially to their life by offering companionship, assistance with house chores, and a sense of security. We also attract young widows and divorcees who need a roommate primarily for financial assistance with mortgage payments and utilities. The person or families who seek housing come from all walks of life. They are students, second career seekers, recently divorced persons, low-income families, unemployed persons, homeless individuals/families, women with their children fleeing domestic violence situations, and single women fleeing abusive partners.
The Homeshare CARE program offers a rental stipend along with structured services focusing on Case Management, Assistance to community resources, Rental support, and Empowerment. Homeshare CARE has a financial commitment not to exceed 12 months.
Homeshare and Homeshare CARE provide the following services:
- Intake/Screening Services
- Reference Checking
- Housing Option Counseling
- Home Inspections and Initial Interview
- Community Services Referrals and Information
- Facilitation of Introduction Between Potential Homesharers
- Assistance in the Negotiation of Homesharing Contracts
- Follow-up Assistance
Home providers must reside in Dallas county and offer a private bedroom to qualify. Home seekers must be interested in living in Dallas county and share a house. All applicants must be 21 years of age.
To apply visit the website, complete the application, and mail it to the address on the left.
