Council OKs $50K for HomeShare

COEUR d’ALENE — HomeShare Kootenai County has made its first three matches between those seeking a place to live and those offering one, and expects to make more.

“We just need to get the word out and build up our application base,” said Executive Director Carrie Ward.

She said HomeShare can be a “significant housing resource for Kootenai County. It’s just a matter of promoting it and getting it out there.”

The Coeur d'Alene City Council unanimously approved a one-time request Tuesday to give the nonprofit $50,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds the city received.

The money will go toward marketing efforts to expand the program and operational expenses.

City Administrator Troy Tymesen said HomeShare could be a tool to help address the area’s rising cost of housing and help people find an affordable place to live.

“This would be a way to kick it forward in a positive way,” he said.

HomeShare was established five months ago and Ward believes it has made great strides. It has added a board of trustees, staffing and created a database of those seeking to rent a room and those offering one.

She said the first three matches were all under $500 a month for rent.

Ward said there is plenty of inventory out there. HomeShare just needs help with additional outreach to produce more results.

They have a few dozen applicants on both sides of the equation.

Seniors in need of additional income, empty nesters and snowbirds are potential room providers, Ward said.

College students, traveling workers and young adults might be the typical person seeking a room to rent.

“There are people out there who could use the service for sure,” Ward said.

HomeShare handles applications, background and reference checks, interviews and home visits to help find the right match. It also provides follow-up and ongoing support.

Ward said they encourage clients to start with a two-week trial period.

There is no fee to participate in the program. The home provider pays 25% of the first month’s rent to HomeShare, while the seeker pays a $35 fee.

It could also be that rent is reduced in exchange for services, such as yard work, house cleaning or transportation.

Tymesen said there are mutual benefits for owners and tenants.

“It’s about people helping people,” he said.

There are about 50 HomeShare programs nationwide. Kootenai County’s is the first HomeShare in Idaho with another coming soon to Boise.

“They are quickly emerging as an affordable housing model because they make so much sense,” Ward said.

The program is needed in Kootenai County, where rents and home values have soared in recent years. That has forced some to leave the area, creating a labor force void.

Councilman Dan English said HomeShare could grow quickly.

“It’s not hard to imagine that we could end up with a couple hundred of these,” he said.

Councilwoman Christie Wood called it innovative.

“We should at least probably try it for a year to see what happens,” she said.

A HomeShare representative will return next year to update the council on its progress.

Ward said the program has enough funds for its first year and will continue to raise money to maintain operations.

She believes HomeShare will make a difference as it gains recognition.

“Home sharing can be pretty great,” she said. “People in our community just need to open up their minds a little bit more to this concept.”