Solutions
Over 1.2 million Floridians over 65 live alone, many struggling financially and/or having excess space to share
Homesharing
We can’t build our way out of the housing crisis. But there is unused capacity in existing homes. Whether an owner with extra rooms seeks financial help with the cost of the home or homes are designed and operated for sharing, home sharing is an immediate solution.
Welcome to the Era of 65-Year-Old Roommates
- Home Share Affordable Housing Solutions – Home Share Pinellas is a replicable program for matching owners and renters actively working with communities throughout Florida to replicate their program.
- PadSplit: Affordable Rooms for Rent, Homes, Weekly Rentals & More | PadSplit PadSplit is an online platform that connects people looking for an affordable place to live with property owners who have private rooms for rent. It provides a system for owners to increase their rental profit while providing renters with lower costs through home sharing.
- SpareRoom: Find Roommates, Rooms for Rent & Sublets
LOCAL EFFORTS: We can do more if we work together
Goal: Comprehensively addressing indvidual needs
CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION
Ensure
The local Area Agency on Aging, Continuum of Care for the Homeless and 211 Information and Referral Service are working together to coordinate resources and maintain up-to-date inventory of available resources.
How Continuums of Care and Area Agencies on Aging Can Collaborate
Collaborate
to fund housing navigators who can assist elders in crisis in evaluating options and accessing existing resources.Avoid an endless loop of information and referrals without a solution.
Assemble
flexible funding to avert a crisis and buy time to formulate a sustainable housing solution.Sources of funds: Community foundations, County government, private donations, Emergency Solutions Grants.
Convene
an Elder Housing Task Force bringing together local governments, housing authorities, housing developers, foundations, and other stakeholders.
Pasco/Pinellas Case Study
Help
applicants for subsidized housing with the application process and costs.
MOBILIZE COMMUNITY
Neighbors helping Neighbors – Mobilize volunteers to help
Mobilize community organizations, churches and volunteers to make sure elders have a hurricane plan and resources to implement.
RAISE AWARENESS: TELL THE STORY
- Raise awareness of housing crisis among anyone who works with elderly – health care, rec centers, landlords, property managers, religious leaders — and how to contact AAA Helpline, CoC, and 211.
- Speak with elected government representatives and other decision-makers at all levels of government about the housing issues facing seniors and your experience trying to help.
- Generate articles and social media
Increase supply of subsidized housing
Preserve housing properties with Federal subsidies, which reach the lowest income residents.
Because of past peak periods in the development of these properties an exceptionally large number of properties with expiring requirements by 2034.
- Increase housing for elderly households with extremely low incomes.
Single seniors relying on Social Security (Average of $1976 per month, 30% of Area Median Income) are most at risk of losing their home and require rents of $600 to $750 per month.
- Develop supportive housing designed specifically for elderly to avoid nursing home placement.
Use Older Americans Act or other funding, channeled through Area Agencies on Aging to fund services linked to supportive housing designed specifically for elderly as a preferred and less costly alternative to assisted living or nursing home placement.
Support housing developers addressing elder housing needs as they navigate local regulations and funding.
Track how locally controlled housing resources and funds are being used.