HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS | share-sonoma-county

How the Program Works:

Request SHARE Sonoma County Home Sharing Program Information Packet which includes:

Questionaire "Is Home Sharing Right for You?"
What is Home Sharing?
Home Sharing Application for either the seeker or provider
Agreement Concerning Responsibilities and Liability
- Declaration of Non-Criminal History
- Declaration of Non-Drug Abuse
- List of reference
About Background Checks
Authorization to Release Credit/Tenant/Criminal History

Completing the Home Sharing Aplication

If you answered "YES!" to the questionaire "Is Home sharing Right for You?", please complete the application. Please drop off the completed application at our offices, or scan and email, or fax to us at:

1500 Petaluma Blvd. South. Petaluma, CA 94952

Judy@sharesonomacounty.org

Telephone No. (707) 766-8800, ext.126

Fax No. (707) 766-8899

please note:

One participant within each match must be 60 years or older
Anyone with a felony or misdemeanor within the past ten (10) years for child or elder abuse cannot participate in the SHARE program
Anyone with current pending criminal proceedings or on parole cannot participate in the SHARE program

We encourage you to be as forthcoming as possible so that we can best understand your needs and prderences for home sharing. Any applicant determined to knowingly have misrepresentations on his or her application will be immediately disqualified.

Interview:

Once we have received your application packet, conducted our screening process and, contacted your three references provided, a Housing Specialist will contact you to schedule an in-person interview at our Petaluma office or other convienient location.

Note: For the Interview please bring:

Photo Identification
proof of income
Social Security Card

SHARE of Sonoma County will keep your private information,

e.g. Social Security Number, confidential and in secured location

Criminal/Credit/Rental History Background Check of Home Seekers:

SHARE Sonoma County uses an online screening service, (3) reference checks, along with several online websites which provides information regarding:

Credit and Criminal History
This screening includes national sex-offender registries

It is recommended that all participants conduct their own personal background check of any potential match by a reputable online background check service. SHARE will make available a list of reputable online screening services.

Home Inspection of Home Provider

The SHARE Housing Specialist will schedule a home visit of each potential Home Provider in order to determine that there are no obvious safety or structural concerns. During this visit review of the completed application is reviewed in order to define the needs of the Home Provider and define the type and structure of the Home Share.

The Matching Process

The matching process is the most critical component of the home sharing program. SHARE takes this process very seriously. It is important that you complete the Home Sharing Application to the very best of your ability. There is no such thing as providing too much information! We encourage you to be as detailed as you wish in order that we have as much information about you, your likes and dislikes, and your lifestyle in order to suggest the best possible potential match or matches for you.

Once we have identified a potential match, SHARE Sonoma County will contact you and each potential match and schedule a phone conversation between you and each potential match. After this conversation, if you both want to meet face-to-face, SHARE will then schedule a meeting for both of you that will take place at an agreed upon location.

Note: Before meeting face-to-face with each potential match, you will have an opportunity to contact the references of each potential match. SHARE strongly recommends that you personally check all of the references for each potential match being considered for home sharing.

First Face-to-Face Meeting

It is a good idea to think about your current lifestyle, daily routines, habits, how much time you spend at home, your interests, likes and dislikes, and the activities you enjoy. You will no doubt have questions for your potential match and it might be a good idea to write them down and bring to this meeting. In addition, the SHARE Housing Specialist can provide a list of questions for your use

You and Your Match

Agree to Home-Share

Congratulations! You and your match have agreed to a home visit! The SHARE Housing Specialist will schedule the visit and be available to participate at your request. If the Home Seeker is satisfied with the home, it is now time for you to both prepare and enter into a written Home Sharing Agreement (HSA), prepared by SHARE, that provides a detailed description of the home share and defined services being rendered in lieu of partial or full rent. This is a legal and binding document.

Home Sharing Agreement

The Home Share Agreement will thoroughly detail the living arrangements, schedules, chore responsibilities and any restrictions as best as possible at this initial stage of the home share. All Service Exchange Home Shares begin on a trial basis of thirty (30) days and rent exchange home shares are month-to-month with a thirty (30) day notice unless otherwise agreed upon. SHARE Sonoma County facilitates drafting of this Agreement for approval by each party and recommends this document be signed before the date of move-in.

If you are two (2) Home Sharers renting from a third party, e.g. landlord, the Home sharing Agreement will be separate from your rental agreement.

Note: Home Providers/Renters must have the landlord’s written permission

to lease or sublease to any Home Seeker.

Home Sharing Begins

SHARE Sonoma County is excited that your home sharing has begun and will support each home sharer through the trial period and up to eight (8) weeks to ensure this transition occurs as smoothly as possible. It is our mission that your home sharing experience be successful. You are encouraged to contact SHARE Sonoma County during this time to communicate any concerns that might arise.