There are programs that take on responsibility for matching householders with home seekers. In general these programs are non profit social service programs focusing on people in need for reasons of age, disability or low-income.
The National Shared Housing Resource Center provides a directory of programs in states, updated in March of 2009. A casual count suggests that there are less than 50 programs throughout the country. There is no indication of how effective they are.
Problem is that it takes an enormous amount of energy to make a very few matches. I’m thinking that it ought to be possible for householders and home seekers to find each other through an internet matching service. Most people I suggest this to shudder in horror. Seems to me that the element of personal selection would add greatly to the willingness of householders and home seekers to participate in a homeshare program.
What do you think?
