FAQs
Navigating Shared Housing Made Simple
Explore Our Frequently Asked Questions
Find Answers, Ease Concerns
Welcome to the FAQs hub of the San Diego Shared Housing Collaborative website. Here, we’ve curated responses to common questions, aiming to illuminate and simplify your shared living experience. Whether you’re exploring shared housing as a prospective housemate, managing properties as an owner, or collaborating as a community partner, we’re dedicated to offering clarity and assistance. Delve into the questions below to find insights tailored to your needs, and don’t hesitate to contact us for further assistance.
Eligibility Questions
If you are interested in shared housing, are 18 years old and older and experiencing homelessness, and have sufficient income to cover your portion of housing expenses, you are eligible to participate in shared housing.
To move into shared housing, each housemate should have sufficient resources to cover their portion of housing expenses. Examples include earned income, social security benefits, rental assistance, housing vouchers, and more.
The only HUD (Housing and Urban Development) assistance ineligible for shared housing is Project Based Vouchers.
Yes, if each housemate has their own bedroom with their own lease, a household with a Housing Choice Voucher can live with a non-Housing Choice Voucher household
The Collaborative works with your existing supportive services provider to ensure housemates are stabilized in their permanent housing placement
No, but their housing options may be limited depending on the property. We encourage housing seekers to start working on getting an I-TIN, as it can be used instead of an SSN (Social Security Number) on a rental application.
Couples can participate in shared housing, but each must create their own profile in the portal and identify as part of a household to help ensure compatibility among all housemates.
The shared housing portal is primarily designed to support adults. However, if a family with children is interested in shared housing, the adult(s) in the household can complete profiles identifying themselves as part of a family with children and look for potential housemates. The system is not designed to match the compatibility of minors, so it is up to the adult members of the household to determine whether another adult is suitable to live with them and their children. Townspeople is not liable for any issues or disputes arising from families with children participating in the portal, as the responsibility for vetting and selecting suitable housemates lies solely with the adult members of the household.
People with criminal backgrounds are welcome to participate in the shared housing collaborative. However, we cannot guarantee that a property owner won’t deny housing based on their criminal history, as property owners have the right to make their own tenant selection decisions.
People with bad credit are welcome to participate in the shared housing collaborative. However, we cannot guarantee that a property owner won’t deny housing based on their credit history, as property owners have the right to make their own tenant selection decisions.
Housemate Questions
Once you have completed your profile in the online portal, which includes your housemate preferences, you will be shown individuals who align with your housemate preferences on a 100% scale. We recommend engaging with potential housemates within the portal first and then meeting them in person at our scheduled meet-and-greet events.
Check out the Resources page for a copy of our Housemate Agreement template.
The Collaborative can support you in several ways to resolve conflicts with your housemate(s). Your case manager or Housing Stability Specialist is one way. Utilizing the conflict management tools available on the Resources page is another. Some general tips for conflict resolution include establishing house rules in advance, holding housemate meetings, referring to your housemate agreement to ensure alignment on expectations, and always being considerate of one another.
Housemates can share any barriers to renting housing they may have during the meet and greet or the housing location process.
If the remaining housemate(s) would like to stay in their current placement, they can work with the San Diego Shared Housing Collaborative and the tools previously used to identify a new housemate(s).
Housing Questions
Shared housing is when two or more people live together, each with their own rooms and lease, but share common spaces.
We work with housemates to identify rental housing in the community that meets their combined preferences and needs.
When vetting rental units, housing seekers should consider several factors to ensure they find a suitable and reliable place to live. Examples include determining your needs and preferences, researching the neighborhood, setting a budget, searching online listings, contacting the property owner or manager to ask questions, scheduling a visit, talking to previous tenants, reviewing the lease agreement, researching the property owner or property manager, documenting the condition of the unit and property, and understanding your rights as a tenant.
While it is ideal for each housemate to have their own lease, it is okay if the property owner will allow shared housing but only wants one lease. Housing is always the priority. Before moving forward with a single lease, though, be sure and talk with the property owner to see if they will consider separate leases.
If each housemate has their own lease, they will only be responsible for the costs stipulated in their lease.
If the Independent Living Facility is designed to, for example, allow individuals to choose their housemates, to have their own bedroom, and to each have their own lease (with full tenancy rights), then it may fall under the model of shared housing promoted by the San Diego Shared Housing Collaborative.
Stabilization Questions
While participating in shared housing, you may access a Flex Fund designed to support various housing stability expenses. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burdens associated with securing and maintaining shared housing through an application process and is available while funding lasts. Examples include security deposits, application fees, household essentials, and short-term, temporary rental assistance. Permanent, long-term housing subsidies are not available through the SD Shared Housing Collaborative.
We are utilizing the Shared Housing Institute’s tools for creating harmonious living environments in shared housing (e.g., the Living Well with Others book and the Housemate Resource Guide). Additionally, the San Diego Shared Housing Collaborative is working with the National Conflict Resolution Center on training for housemates to help build their conflict mediation capacities. Check out our calendar or contact our team to see when the next sessions are scheduled.
The Collaborative has a Housing Stability Specialist who will support stabilization for shared housing participants following Housing First principles.
Portal Questions
The portal is web-based and can be accessed using this link. You will first need to register before completing your shared housing profile and searching for potential housemates.
Portal users can expect to see basic demographic information and their answers to the housemate survey questions and housing preferences. Each portal user has decision-making power as to whether that information is visible to other portal users in the system.
If you’re having trouble with the portal, please reach out to us at sharedhousing@townspeople.org, and we will connect with you as quickly as possible but no later than one business day. You can also connect with your case manager for help with the portal as well.
Have More Questions?
If you have additional questions or need more assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We are here to help you navigate the world of shared housing and ensure your experience is positive and fulfilling.