Homeshare in Scotland Homeshare enables unrelated people to share their lives for mutual benefit.Homeshare is a reciprocal arrangement where both the Homesharer and the Householder have something they need and something they can give to the Homeshare relationship.

1. Homeshare in Scotland
Tina Morrow

2. 13-Sep-21
© Shared Lives Plus 2019
Key Issues:
An ageing population
Unaffordable housing/unsuitable
housing
Loneliness and isolation across
generations
Few options for low level
social care

3. Homeshare enables unrelated people to share
their lives for mutual benefit.
Homeshare is a reciprocal arrangement where
both the Homesharer and the Householder have
something they need and something they can
give to the Homeshare relationship.
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What is Homeshare?

4. Key Characteristics of
Homeshare
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• The Homesharer provides an agreed amount of low level practical help for the Householder
whilst living in their home for an agreed period of time.
• There are no elements of personal care provided by the Homesharer to the Householder.
• The relationship is brokered, monitored and supported by the Homeshare Scheme.
• Creating a ‘good match’ that supports a mutually agreeable sociable living arrangement is a
key priority.
• Homesharers are not charged market rate rent but agree to contribute fairly to household
living costs.
• All participants are vetted and assessed for their suitability for participation.

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• Social isolation
• Under-occupied housing stock
• Making accommodation affordable
• Better health and well being
• Building robust communities and
forging links between generations
• Independence!
Outcomes

6. Where we are now
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• Some pilots in the past
• Aware of a demand from both potential
Homeowners and sharers
• Seeking interest to develop a Homeshare
scheme that works across Scotland
• Feasibility work

7. Key barriers and challenges
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• Selling the ‘model’ – finance, capacity, uncertainty
• Reluctance of community organisations to refer individuals to Homeshare, an unknown in Scotland
• Concern about Homeshare experienced by some Local Authority housing and social care representatives
– key issues include turnover of staff, cutbacks and ‘safeguarding’
• Individual requirements for matching sometimes difficult (especially when gender, race, religion are a key
deal breaker)
• Unsuitable referrals of Householder and Homesharer groups – often people come too late to Homeshare.
• Householder homes not being appropriate for Homesharing – location and quality
• Maintaining marketing impetus to both Householder and Homesharer groups a demanding on both time
and resources.

8. Feasibility Work
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• What area(s)?
• What need is there for a scheme?
• Consultation work with key stakeholder groups
– begins with survey
• Who will be the Householders?
• What will the key benefits for this group be?
• Who will refer Householders into the scheme?
• Understanding relevant relationships
• Who will be the Homesharers?
• What will the key benefits for this group be?
• How will you engage with this group of people?
• Potential start up funding
• What is your pricing structure?
• Financial sustainability, numbers of matches and
maintenance?
• Promotion and marketing
• Polices and processes?
• Planning
• Measuring impact

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• having a viable financial model
• understanding the need for your scheme
• dedicated staff resource
• quick and easy processes
• robust safeguarding
• buy in from local agencies (dedicated referral pipelines!)
• involving family and/or friends
• flexible arrangement
• Engaging with the network for support from Homeshare
UK and peers
What we know works well

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Any Questions?

11. Next steps …….
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• What do you want from us?
• More information
• Support to identify areas of need in your community
• What we would like from you
• www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Scotlandsharer
• www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Scotlandhouseholder
• www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Scotlandorgs

12. Reg Charity number (England and Wales) 1095562
Company number 4511426
Reg Charity No (Scotland) SC42742
Tina Morrow
Tina@sharedlivesplus.org.uk
07525 234 698