Homeshare, Everyone is a winner

Two groups hit especially hard by the global downturn are first-time buyers and the elderly. While the former are unable to secure a home loan without a hefty deposit, the latter face the cost of long-term care with depleted pensions. However, a little-known concept introduced in the 1990s could bring much needed respite to both.

Homeshare schemes pair householders in need of company and help around the home with more ablebodied people, in return for rent-free or cheap accommodation. This can enable an elderly or disabled person to defer a move into a care home and the home sharer to save for a deposit.

The schemes are popular in the US, Australia and parts of Europe. They remain small-scale in this country, where they operate under the umbrella organisation NAAPS and the charity Vitalise, with the involvement of the Department of Health, local authorities and other charities, such as Age Concern. However, they are expected to attract more interest as a growing number of people find their finances stretched.

Sian Lockwood, of NAAPS, emphasises that home sharers are not carers. “They might help the householder with shopping, cooking or cleaning - the kind of things that adults living together do for each other. The most important benefit is often companionship. The commitment required is never more than ten hours a week.�

She gives an example of an ideal homeshare. “A theology student at Oxford University was placed with an elderly couple in the city,� she says. “He and the husband both spoke German and enjoyed walking. They would often go for long walks and practise the language. The idea of Homeshare is all about that kind of mutual benefit.�

Other beneficiaries have included the late jazz singer George Melly, who shared his home with a succession of five or six home sharers in old age.

Ms Lockwood explains that most homeshares last between six months and two years. Candidates apply to their local schemes, are interviewed in person and screened, with home sharers checked for criminal records and householders for minimum standards of accommodation. Those who are considered suitable write a profile, which is used by staff to search for possible matches.

Where these exist, the parties compare profiles and may schedule a home visit. Once a homeshare is agreed in principal, a legal agreement is drawn up to define responsibilities.

Homeshare co-ordinators are able to advise on this document and can provide templates. Nevertheless, the concept is not without risk and participating householders should notify their insurers and be aware that a homeshare will reduce their entitlement to housing benefit.

Most schemes are free to both parties but require sharers to contribute to household bills. Vitalise in London, however, charges householders a fee of £127.25 a month towards administration and home sharers a fee of £195.10 a month, including bills.

Andy Murphy, of Vitalise, says that the money helps to fund the matching process and support, with monthly meetings for sharers. The scheme is also the longest-established and most likely to be able to pair you with a suitable candidate. A number of its householder applicants live in wealthy London boroughs such as Westminster, where rent for a studio flat can top £800 a month.

Ms Lockwood says that the key to a successful homeshare is flexibility: “One householder who applied was unwilling to share his fridge - we couldn't find him a match. Likewise, many home sharers are students and it is important that their householders are understanding about deadlines.�

For further information, visit the NAAPS website at www.naaps.co.uk or call 0151-227 3499. The Vitalise website can be found at www.vitalise.org.uk. Alternatively, call 0845 3451972.

Ms Lockwood urges those who live outside areas where Homeshare is available to write to their local authority and ask it to consider setting up a scheme.

Case study - 'It's like living with Granny'

Aliya Boranbayeva, above, discovered Vitalise's service at Gumtree.com, the listings website. About two months after applying, the 26-year-old Kazakh agreed a homeshare with 94-year-old Nora Henry, who lives in a spacious flat in Belsize Park, northwest London.

“Before that I was sharing with students in Finsbury Park,� Miss Boranbayeva says. “This area feels safer and I get a feeling of 'home' that I didn't have before. It's like living with Granny.�

Miss Boranbayeva pays Vitalise £195.10 a month. She helps Mrs Henry with cooking and shopping and takes her to appointments. At weekends they share a meal at a local restaurant.

“Mrs Henry has had a very interesting life,� she adds. “She ran a vegetarian restaurant in London during the Second World War, for example.�

Mrs Henry says that the scheme is a great help and gives important reassurance to her family, many of whom now live overseas.

timesonline.co.uk - with some input by slashnews.co.uk