Do You Have a Spare Room Available? Partner with Peel HomeShare

Canada HomeShare, a successful housing program that brings together older adults and post-secondary students, has launched a pilot program in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.  Run by the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE) in partnership with the Region of Peel, Peel HomeShare helps fill an important void in the housing market by matching older adults who want to age in their own homes with younger adults who need a safe place to live and who can help around the house.

Under the pilot program, older adults who have a spare room will be matched with post-secondary students who need housing. Students pay $400 to $600 a month for rent and contribute 5 to 7 hours/week of companionship and/or assistance around the home. That means helping with light household tasks such as running errands, shovelling and yard work, technical and computer support, meal prep or walking a pet.

Applications for home providers and students are now being accepted for the January 2022 school term. The entire process, from application to finding an appropriate HomeShare match, is carefully overseen by NICE social workers in accordance with all COVID-19 protocols. Once a suitable match is made, and all safety screening and security checks are satisfied, a customized HomeShare agreement will be developed for the home provider and student.

Canada HomeShare has been operating successfully in Toronto for several years. During that time, it’s been a win-win for program participants:

• Home providers receive additional income and help around the house.
• Students gain access to safe and affordable housing.
• Students and home providers benefit from sharing their experience with each other.

To learn more about the Peel HomeShare program and connect with a social worker, email peel@canadahomeshare.ca or visit the Region of Peel page on the Canada HomeShare website.

More About Canada HomeShare and NICE

Canada HomeShare began as the Toronto HomeShare Pilot Project in 2018 funded by the City of Toronto. The program, now known as Canada HomeShare, began piloting its model of exchange based cohousing across Canada in 2021.

The National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE) is an international network of researchers, practitioners, students and seniors dedicated to improving the care of older adults, both in Canada and abroad.  The overarching emphases of NICE are networking and knowledge transfer – that is, getting good research into practice.

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• Housing
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