HomeShare survey underway

COEUR d’ALENE — The Housing Solutions Partnership and the University of Idaho are surveying Kootenai County homeowners to gauge interest in a program that would fund home improvements to help homeowners share their space with others.

The HomeShare Grant Program is one of several solutions the partnership is exploring to address a shortage of housing for local workers and students in Kootenai County.

“We launched HomeShare Kootenai County and have matched several home providers and home seekers,” said Kiki Miller, a Coeur d’Alene councilor and a founder of the Housing Solutions Partnership. “Many people have expressed interest in renting out a basement or a room in their home, but they lack an egress window, private bathroom, separate entrance or off-street parking.”

If the survey finds there is enough interest, the Housing Solutions Partnership could launch a HomeShare Grant Program to resolve those issues. In exchange for grant funds for construction or renovations, homeowners would agree to share their home with a student or local worker for a set length of time.

“It’s a win-win,” Miller said. “Homeowners receive funds for upgrades that increase the equity in their home and local workers or students will have more affordable housing options.”

There have been 55 matches since HomeShare Kootenai County started in January 2023.

Most recently, there were 53 home providers and 142 home seekers.

HomeShare is a nationwide program that has worked well in other states.

It could help alleviate Kootenai County's affordable housing shortage as prices have climbed over the past few years. It helps seniors in need of additional income remain in their homes, with empty nesters and snowbirds also potential room providers.

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

Depending on the cost of the project, homeowners may be expected to contribute a percentage of the cost of upgrading their home, Miller said. Grant recipients would have to provide housing for a length of time commensurate with the amount of money they receive for upgrades — a minimum of 8 months.

Tenants would be required to pay rent at rates below the current market rate for rentals. The program would retain a portion of the rent paid to fund the program and ensure its sustainability.

HomeShare Kootenai County, an existing nonprofit created through the Housing Solutions Partnership, would provide background checks on home providers and tenants and work to facilitate matches.

“We’re encouraging homeowners throughout the county to complete the survey so we can determine if the community is interested in the HomeShare Grant Program,” Miller said. “We have already identified several potential funding sources, but first we need to know if the community wants this.”

Find more information and complete the survey at https://www.housingni.org/homeshare-grant-program/.