Shared Housing of New Orleans

   We help elderly and disabled individuals stay out of nursing homes in New Orleans with the Shared Housing of New Orleans program. Ours is a preventative program that allows elderly and/or disabled individuals to remain in their homes who would like to, and who do not need to be in nursing homes. We do this by matching a Homeowner with a Homeseeker. The Homeseeker provides light housekeeping and companionship. The Homeowner, in return, provides room and board. We take self-referrals or referrals from others.

   Questions sometimes asked:  1) Who are the Homeseekers that you select? How do we know they are reliable individuals?

    Answer: The Homeseekers are generally people who are in need of a place to live. They are usually individuals who are concerned that they will not be able to pay the next month's rent. Historically, more women than men have applied to us as Homeseekers. Police checks are done on all applicants to the program. Careful screenings/interviews are done by our Program Coordinator and Registered Nurses. The Director is an experienced Occupational Therapist with extensive Mental Health experience. She has been working to keep elderly/disabled people from inappropriate placement in nursing homes.

    Individuals with questionable backgrounds or questionable ability to participate appropriately in the program may be told that this is not the appropriate program for them.

    2) From a friend or relative:  May I negotiate for my friend (mother, father, other) in order to keep him/her out of a nursing home?

     Answer: Certainly you may refer and give us information that would contribute to a good referral. However, the individual referred must have the ability to negotiate for him or herself. We do not admit those to the program for whom someone else has power of attorney or legal authority.

Louisiana has one of the highest number of nursing home beds per capita in the nation, and institutionalizes a higher percentage of its population over the age of 85 than any other state (as of 2011). By creating beneficial homesharing matches, Shared Housing of New Orleans helps seniors stay in their homes.

Difficult economic times combined with the vast changes of post-Katrina New Orleans has left many people without a secure place to live. Shared Housing of New Orleans offers an alternative housing solution. The Homeseeker can receive room and board in exchange for their assistance with a needy Homeowner.