Why Share Housing
Do you live alone? Know people who live alone? It’s so common — and if you’re single, you may never have thought you had another option. We think you might.
We’re Sharing Housing, a nonprofit based in Vermont, and we’re convinced that if you’re careful and thoughtful about the process, you can find what we call a home-mate — someone you like and respect, whose way of living at home is compatible enough that everyone is comfortable.
The Benefits Are Real
Save money. Housing costs are high everywhere. Sharing the cost of housing and utilities can save you literally thousands of dollars a year.
Enjoy companionship. When you live alone it’s easy to become socially isolated — especially if you’re retired or working from home. Keeping an active social calendar takes a lot of extroverted energy. A home-mate gives you something simpler and more sustaining: informal, spontaneous connection. Someone to say “Good morning.” “How was your day?”
Share the work. The daily, weekly, and seasonal maintenance of a home is a lot. Sharing the tasks — or using the extra money to hire help — lightens the load. For older people especially, having someone around who can handle things that have become difficult can make it possible to stay in the home they love.
Live lighter on the earth. Two or more people under one roof use fewer of the earth’s resources — less energy, fewer appliances, less stuff. It’s a quiet kind of sustainability.
Is It Right for You?
Choosing to have a home-mate is not a small transition. If your first reaction is “No way, no how” — we’ve heard that a lot. That’s okay. We’re not here to talk you into anything. We’re here to help you explore the idea honestly, and give you the tools to do it well if you decide it’s for you.
We believe there are good home-mates for everyone who genuinely wants one. Like anything worth doing, it takes patience, skill, and effort — and we want to help.
What You’ll Find Here
Learning Center — Classes including our free 5 Key Benefits of Shared Housing and deeper courses like Discovering Shared Housing and Sharing Housing 101, plus downloadable worksheets to help you prepare every step of the way.
Books — Annamarie’s guidebooks, workbooks, and curated reading to support you through the process.
Blog — Real stories, practical advice, and commentary on shared housing and social policy.
Newsletter — Join our community for monthly Q&As, resources, and updates.
We hope you’ll explore — and that you’ll find, as so many others have, that sharing housing can be a genuinely good way to live.
