HomeShare Oregon in the News
HomeShare Oregon Announces Receipt of Donation of Silvernest's Homesharing Technology Platform to Enable National Expansion of the Homesharing Movement
HomeShare Oregon, March 26, 2024
HomeShare Oregon licenses Silvernest's homesharing technology, expanding its reach nationwide to combat the affordable housing crisis by matching homeowners with compatible housemates.
Press Release: Leadership Transition at HomeShare Oregon and New Executive Director Search
HomeShare Oregon, February 12, 2024
This letter to the editor discusses the affordable housing crisis in Oregon and advocates for home sharing as a practical solution. Stan Penkin highlights the limited inventory of rental units in the state and the financial burden it places on renters. He argues that home sharing, through organizations like HomeShare Oregon, can quickly address housing needs by connecting homeowners with spare rooms to struggling renters. This approach can prevent homelessness for both parties and offers an average rental cost significantly lower than the typical Portland rent. Stan also mentions the social benefits of home sharing, particularly for single older women in need of additional income and companionship. Ultimately, the letter calls for a shift away from the stigma associated with shared housing and embraces it as a proven means of providing housing for people in need.
Readers respond: Stop homelessness before it starts
The Oregonian, August 14, 2023
Oregon Home Share matches seniors with spare room with those needing housing
OPB, August 11, 2023
HomeShare Oregon operates Silvernest.com, connecting older adults in Oregon with spare bedrooms to those seeking affordable housing. The platform aims to use existing housing inventory for home sharing, addressing the housing shortage. It screens matches for compatibility and offers tools for rental agreements. The initiative seeks to change cultural norms around shared housing and has been well-received as a scalable solution to housing challenges.
Organization addressing housing crisis through home sharing, local household serves as an example
ABC, KEZI 9, May 7, 2023
HomeShare Oregon is addressing the housing crisis by connecting people seeking housing with homeowners who have extra space in their homes. Participants create profiles and are matched based on their needs and preferences. The organization conducts background checks and assists in forming rental agreements. Homeowners can earn extra income while renters find more affordable options. They are advocating for House Bill 3032, which would exempt homeowners from income tax on earnings from long-term room rentals under $1,000 per month. An example in Eugene showcases how the program benefits both parties, with homeowners like Doug Hintz opening their homes to those in need.
More 'Golden Girls' than 'Friends': Can home sharing be the answer to America's housing affordability crisis? These housemates think so.
USA Today, April 27, 2023
Becky was struggling to cover her monthly expenses, mainly her mortgage payment and utilities, which consumed most of her $2,100 income from Social Security and pensions. To address this issue, she attended a meeting on home sharing at her local senior center and decided to try it out. The article highlights how individuals like Becky, facing financial challenges in retirement, are turning to home sharing as a means of making ends meet and explores the concept's potential benefits in addressing housing affordability issues.
Renting a room in your home? Consider these things before opening up your doors
USA Today, April 27, 2023
This article highlights the benefits homeowners receive by helping with expenses like mortgage debt and maintenance, while renters get a cheaper alternative to renting an apartment independently. Compatibility is crucial when exploring this option, and it's essential to be clear about your goals. Home sharing typically resembles the "Golden Girls" scenario, where there's a homeowner and housemates, rather than just "Friends" style roommates. Tips for successful home sharing include being selective about housemates, keeping an open mind, vetting potential housemates through references and background checks, documenting the terms with a lease, and starting with a trial period before committing to a long-term arrangement.
Tackling Oregon's housing crisis: Bill would provide incentives for homeowners renting rooms long-term
NBC, KGW 8, March 17, 2023
Oregon's housing crisis has been a major concern, and as legislative efforts to address the shortage face challenges, a creative solution emerges: home sharing. This approach allows homeowners to rent out their unused rooms to those in need of affordable housing. Home Share Oregon, a nonprofit, facilitates this by matching homeowners with available rooms to individuals seeking housing, particularly focusing on seniors who are at risk of foreclosure. Oregon House Bill 3032 is also being considered to provide tax incentives to homeowners offering affordable, long-term room rentals. While traditional construction faces hurdles and costs, home sharing can quickly increase housing availability without new infrastructure, benefiting both homeowners and tenants. Safety measures, background checks, and compatibility assessments are essential aspects of this approach to ensure successful matches.
Bill giving Oregon homeowners tax break for renting out empty rooms advances
CBS, KPIC 4, February 8, 2023
A bill aimed to increase access to affordable housing is one step closer to becoming law.
The HomeShare for Oregon Act would create a new tax incentive for homeowners who rent out extra rooms by eliminating the requirement to pay income tax on rooms rented out for less than $1,000 a month.
The bill passed Tuesday with almost unanimous support in the Committee for Housing and Homelessness.
Oregon takes first step to giving tax breaks to homeowners who rent out rooms
Oregon Capital Chronicle, February 7, 2023
Oregon has taken a step towards providing tax breaks to homeowners who rent out rooms in their houses. House Bill 3032, which would allow homeowners to subtract up to $12,000 per rented room from their state taxable income annually, received endorsement from the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness with a 9-1 vote. The bill aims to address the housing crisis by encouraging home sharing, with supporters arguing that it's more cost-effective than building affordable homes. Critics, including tenant advocates, are skeptical, pointing out that people who rent rooms have fewer legal protections than full-home or apartment renters. The bill awaits further committee approval before a full House vote.
HomeShare Oregon proposes tax exemption for homeowners who rent out rooms
Central Oregon Daily News, January 10, 2023
HomeShare Oregon is collaborating with state lawmakers on a bill aimed at helping homeowners save money. The proposed bill suggests offering a state income tax exemption for homeowners who are willing to rent a room in their homes long-term for less than $1,000 per month. Depending on their income, this exemption could potentially save homeowners upwards of $1,000 or more. HomeShare Oregon serves as a matchmaking service for roommates, providing background checks and encouraging thorough reference checks and discussions between homeowners and renters. The organization aims to incentivize homeowners to share their spare rooms, potentially housing thousands of people affordably without requiring new infrastructure.
Home sharing? Oregon to consider tax exemption
KOIN 6, January 9, 2023
Home Share Oregon is collaborating with state lawmakers on a bill to exempt homeowners from income tax if they rent a room in their home over an extended period. The initiative, founded by developer Homer Williams, uses compatibility software to match homeowners with renters, and the proposed bill would waive taxes for renting rooms at $1000 or less per month, aiming to support financially challenged Baby Boomers to stay in their homes.