SWFL Senior HomeShare: Creating Affordable, Independent Living for Seniors
Area Agency on Aging
Nov 07, 2025
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What Is HomeShare?
The SWFL Senior HomeShare program connects seniors who own homes with seniors seeking affordable housing. This voluntary matching program helps homeowners offset rising costs while offering home seekers safe, stable, and affordable living arrangements.
Importantly, HomeShare is not a caregiving or assisted living program. All participants must be able to live independently without full-time care or assistance.
How It Works
The HomeShare process is simple, secure, and thoughtfully designed to ensure compatibility and comfort for everyone involved.
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Apply – Complete the online application or download a form to submit.
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Screening – Applicants complete background checks and interviews for safety and peace of mind.
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Matching – We connect compatible homeowners and home seekers based on preferences and lifestyle.
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Agreement – Participants create a written household agreement outlining expectations.
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Move-In – Begin your homesharing arrangement and enjoy the benefits of shared living.
Benefits of Homesharing
For Homeowners
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Extra income to offset rising costs
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Companionship and reduced isolation
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Shared household responsibilities
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Ability to stay in your home longer
For Home Seekers
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Affordable, stable housing options
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Safe and comfortable living environments
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Community connection and friendship
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Flexible cost-sharing arrangements
Program Eligibility
To participate in SWFL Senior HomeShare, applicants must:
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Be 55 years or older
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Be able to live independently (no full-time caregiving needs)
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Pass a national background check
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Provide three verifiable references
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Home seekers: Show proof of income
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Homeowners: Own a home in good standing
Note: This is not emergency housing. Matches are made thoughtfully to create lasting, comfortable arrangements, which may take time.
Important Distinctions
What HomeShare Is NOT
❌ Caregiving program
❌ Assisted living
❌ Home healthcare
❌ Emergency housing
What HomeShare IS
✓ Independent living arrangement
✓ Voluntary room-sharing program
✓ Cost-sharing partnership
✓ Community-based housing solution
Understanding Program Responsibilities
The SWFL Senior HomeShare program acts as a facilitator and intermediary, connecting home providers with home seekers safely and fairly.
What We Do
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Screen and interview all applicants
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Conduct background checks
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Facilitate introductions between compatible matches
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Provide agreement templates and helpful resources
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Offer quarterly check-ins during the first year
What We Don’t Do
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Own or control participating properties
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Enforce agreements between participants
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Provide legal advice or representation
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Participate in disputes between home providers and home seekers
Your Responsibilities
All homesharing arrangements are voluntary agreements between participants.
SWFL Senior HomeShare, the Home Coalition, the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, and affiliated organizations:
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Make no guarantees about match outcomes
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Are not liable for disputes, damages, or issues arising from arrangements
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Do not verify or guarantee participant-provided information
Each participant is responsible for:
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Deciding whether to accept or reject a match
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Conducting their own due diligence
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Seeking legal or financial advice if needed
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Following fair housing and Florida landlord-tenant laws
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does matching take?
Matching is a careful, individualized process. While some matches happen within weeks, others may take several months. Our priority is quality and compatibility—not speed—to create stable, long-term living arrangements.
Who is responsible if there’s a problem with my homeshare arrangement?
Homeshare agreements are private arrangements between participants. SWFL Senior HomeShare facilitates introductions but is not a party to your agreement and cannot enforce terms or provide legal representation.
What is the cost?
There is no cost to apply or participate in SWFL Senior HomeShare, thanks to support from the Collaboratory and AARP grants.
When a match is made, the first month’s rent is split 50/50 between the home provider and the program to help sustain operations. Afterward, rent payments are made directly between participants per their agreement, with shared responsibility for utilities and other expenses.
Can I choose my match?
Absolutely! Participants have full control over their match decisions. We facilitate introductions and provide guidance, but both parties must mutually agree before finalizing any arrangement.
What if it doesn’t work out?
Either party may end the HomeShare agreement with proper written notice. Open communication is encouraged, but if necessary, homeowners may need to follow Florida’s legal eviction process. The program can provide guidance but does not intervene in disputes.
Building Community Through Connection
The SWFL Senior HomeShare program is more than just housing—it’s about connection, independence, and community. By bringing seniors together through shared living, we create meaningful partnerships that reduce isolation, ease financial stress, and help more people age in place safely and comfortably.
- To view the original version of this article visit aaaswfl.org/services/senior-homeshare-program/
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
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