Action News in Las Vegas did a short piece on a senior considering renting a room in her house to manage her difficult finances. It describes Rita, who after her husband died lost his pension and veteran’s benefits (reducing her income by 70%) and can no longer afford her home. She really wants to stay in her home, so she’s looking for a housemate. The final line of the video transcript on the web site is cautionary. It leaves one with the impression that it is dangerous to offer housing to a stranger.
The actual video clip concludes with common sense suggestions from AARP. These suggestions include meeting the home seeker in a public place, checking references, and trying to find someone through a community group. Also Rita was finding it expensive to advertise. She and many in here generation aren’t Internet users – so she doesn’t know how easy it is to use Craigslist.
There is information on this blog about checking references, and lots of other information she, and seniors like her, might find useful.
More information in my book when it gets published.
