Homesharing
What Is Homesharing?
It is a simple idea: a homeowner offers accommodation to a homesharer in exchange for an agreed level of support in the form of financial exchange, assistance with household tasks, or both. Homesharing is an act of generosity and sometimes of necessity.
Why Consider Homesharing?
Not only does homesharing offer an opportunity to develop new relationships, in these challenging economic times, homesharing can be an interesting and practical affordable housing option.
Homesharing is also a more secure alternative to other roommate options, since Homesharing staff are trained to carefully screen each program applicant through interviewing, background checking, and personal references. Home seeker and homeowner matches are recommended based on compatibility and preferences stated in the interviews.
For the homeowner:
- Homesharing is a safe way of finding companionship, additional income, and possible assistance with household maintenance.
- The additional income often affords necessary improvements to their property.
- Time, support, and additional resources toward achieving financial stability
For the home seeker:
- Opportunities for those who may be otherwise excluded from affordable housing by long waiting lists or insufficient resources
- An alternative to classified ads or other group living arrangements
- Time, support, and additional resources toward achieving financial stability
For the community:
- Additional neighborhood investment helps in averting the blight of aging properties.
- Neighborhood businesses benefit from a more stable customer base with discretionary income.
Who Homeshares? 
Our homeowners and home seekers are a diverse and enthusiastic group of people coming from all walks of life. St. Ambrose Homesharing maintains an active database of over 200 homeowners throughout Baltimore City and County seeking an appropriate home seeker to add some warmth and companionship to their home.
How to Participate in Homesharing
If you are a homeowner interested in homesharing, please download our eligibility criteria (PDF) and an application (City | County) (PDF) to participate in the program.
If you are a home seeker interested in our program, please call the Homesharing office at 410-366-6180 or email rebeccas@stambros.org for more information.
Please note that St. Ambrose Homesharing staff will help refer those who do not meet our eligibility criteria to other social services agencies.
Media Coverage of Homesharing
- St. Ambrose Homesharing Fills Need on Both Ends, Catholic Review, December 24, 2009
- Homeowners and Those Who Rent Rooms From Them Can Both Benefit, Baltimore Sun, June 7, 2009
- Homeowners Turn to Roommates, Baltimore Sun, March 15, 2009
- Homes at Risk, More Owners Consider Taking in Boarders, New York Times, July 16, 2008
- Older Homeowners Take on Roommates To Make Ends Meet, FOX News, December 1, 2008
History of Homesharing at St. Ambrose
Since 1988, the Homesharing Program has been an integral part of SAHAC’s strategy to stabilize and improve neighborhoods by providing financial and personal support to homeowners who want to stay in and maintain their homes but who may have difficulty making ends meet. St. Ambrose Homesharing Program provides housing counseling, housing referrals, and home assessments to match homeowners with existing space in their homes to tenants seeking affordable housing. To date, the Homesharing Program has made almost 1,250 successful matches in its 20+ years of service to the Baltimore community, averaging at least 65 matches a year.
Contact Us
Annette Brennan, Director of Homesharing, annetteb@stambros.org
Rebecca Sheppard, Homesharing Coordinator & Counselor, rebeccas@stambros.org
Sara Montag, Homesharing Intern, saram@stambros.org
Our shared office phone is 410-366-6180.