The SWFL Senior HomeShare program matches seniors who own homes with seniors seeking affordable housing. This voluntary program helps homeowners offset rising costs while providing home seekers with stable, affordable living arrangements.
Important: This is NOT a caregiving or assisted living program. All participants must be able to live independently without full-time care or assistance.
How it Works
Apply – Complete the application online or download to submit
Screening – Background checks and interviews ensure safety
Matching – We connect compatible homeowners and home seekers
Agreement – Participants create a written household agreement
Move-In – Begin your homesharing arrangement
Benefits
For Homeowners:
Additional income to offset rising costs
Companionship and reduced isolation
Shared household responsibilities
Stay in your home londer
For Home Seekers
Affodable housing options
Safe, stable living arrangements
Community connection
Flexible cost-sharing options
Program Eligibility
Must be 55 years or older
Able to live independently (no full-time caregiving needs)
Pass national background check
Provide three verifiable references
Home seekers must show proof of income
Homeowners must own their home in good standing
This is not emergency housing. Matching is a thoughtful process that may take time.
Our Partners
Important Distinctions
What HomeShare Is NOT:
❌ Not a caregiving program
❌ Not assisted living
❌ Not home healthcare
❌ Not emergency housing
What HomeShare IS:
✓ Independent living arrangement
✓ Voluntary room-sharing program
✓ Cost-sharing partnership
✓ Community-based housing solution
Programs Liability & Legal Information
Understanding Program Responsibilities
The SWFL Senior HomeShare program serves as a facilitator and intermediary to connect home providers with home seekers. It’s important to understand our role:
What We Do:
Screen and interview all applicants
Conduct background checks for safety
Facilitate introductions between compatible matches
Provide agreement templates and resources
Offer quarterly check-ins during the first year
What We Don’t Do:
We do not own or control participating properties
We do not enforce agreements between participants
We do not provide legal advice
We are not a party to disputes between home providers and home seekers
Your Responsibilities:
All homesharing arrangements are voluntary agreements between participants. The SWFL Senior HomeShare program, Home Coalition, Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, and affiliated organizations:
Make no guarantees or warranties about the suitability or success of any match
Are not liable for disputes, damages, or issues arising from homesharing arrangements
Have not made representations about the accuracy of information provided by other participants
Each participant is responsible for:
Making their own decision to accept or reject a match
Conducting their own due diligence
Understanding their legal rights and obligations
Seeking independent legal or financial advice as needed
Following fair housing laws and Florida landlord-tenant law (as applicable)
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does matching take?
The matching process is thoughtful and individualized, which means it can take time. We carefully screen all applicants, conduct background checks, and look for compatible matches based on lifestyle, preferences, and location. Our goal is to ensure both the homeowner and home seeker feel comfortable and confident in their arrangement. While some matches happen within weeks, others may take several months. This is not emergency housing—we prioritize quality matches over speed to create stable, long-term living arrangements.
Who is responsible if there’s a problem with my homeshare arrangement?
Homesharing arrangements are voluntary agreements between participants. SWFL Senior HomeShare facilitates introductions but is not a party to your agreement. We do not own properties, enforce agreements, or provide legal representation. Participants are responsible for their own decisions and should seek independent legal advice if needed. The program and its affiliates are released from liability for disputes or issues arising from homesharing arrangements.
What is the cost?
There is no cost to apply or participate in the SWFL Senior HomeShare program, thanks to the generous support of the Collaboratory and AARP grants. When a match is successfully made, the first month’s rent is split 50/50 between the home provider and the SWFL Senior HomeShare program in order to help fund the program and assist other participants. After the first month, all subsequent rent payments are made directly from the home seeker to the home provider according to your agreed-upon arrangement. Both parties are responsible for their share of utilities and other household expenses as outlined in their homeshare agreement.
Can I choose my match?
Absolutely! You have complete control over your match decision. We facilitate introductions between compatible applicants, but you are fully responsible for choosing whether to proceed with a match. We encourage you to meet potential matches, ask questions, visit the home, and take your time making this important decision. Both the home provider and home seeker must mutually agree before any match is finalized. You should never feel pressured to accept a match that doesn’t feel right.
What if it does not work out?
We understand that sometimes arrangements don’t work as planned. Either party may terminate the HomeShare agreement with the agreed amount of days’ written notice, except in emergency situations. We encourage both parties to communicate openly and make a good-faith effort to resolve disagreements respectfully. While we hope every match succeeds, we recognize that circumstances change. If a home seeker refuses to leave after proper notice, the home provider may need to follow Florida’s legal eviction process.
Serving Lee and Collier Counties including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Naples, North Fort Myers, Sanibel, and surrounding areas
SWFL Senior HomeShare is a matching service operated in partnership with Home Coalition and Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida. The program does not own or control participating properties and is not party to agreements between home providers and home seekers. All homesharing arrangements are voluntary. By participating, applicants agree to hold harmless the program and affiliated organizations from claims arising from their homesharing arrangement.
Senior HomeShare Program
SWFL Senior HomeShare: Affordable, Stable Housing for Southwest Florida Seniors
Connecting homeowners with home seekers for mutual and indepedent living
What is HomeShare?
The SWFL Senior HomeShare program matches seniors who own homes with seniors seeking affordable housing. This voluntary program helps homeowners offset rising costs while providing home seekers with stable, affordable living arrangements.
Important: This is NOT a caregiving or assisted living program. All participants must be able to live independently without full-time care or assistance.
How it Works
Benefits
For Homeowners:
For Home Seekers
Program Eligibility
This is not emergency housing. Matching is a thoughtful process that may take time.
Our Partners
Important Distinctions
What HomeShare Is NOT:
What HomeShare IS:
Programs Liability & Legal Information
Understanding Program Responsibilities
The SWFL Senior HomeShare program serves as a facilitator and intermediary to connect home providers with home seekers. It’s important to understand our role:
What We Do:
What We Don’t Do:
Your Responsibilities:
All homesharing arrangements are voluntary agreements between participants. The SWFL Senior HomeShare program, Home Coalition, Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, and affiliated organizations:
Each participant is responsible for:
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does matching take?
The matching process is thoughtful and individualized, which means it can take time. We carefully screen all applicants, conduct background checks, and look for compatible matches based on lifestyle, preferences, and location. Our goal is to ensure both the homeowner and home seeker feel comfortable and confident in their arrangement. While some matches happen within weeks, others may take several months. This is not emergency housing—we prioritize quality matches over speed to create stable, long-term living arrangements.
Who is responsible if there’s a problem with my homeshare arrangement?
Homesharing arrangements are voluntary agreements between participants. SWFL Senior HomeShare facilitates introductions but is not a party to your agreement. We do not own properties, enforce agreements, or provide legal representation. Participants are responsible for their own decisions and should seek independent legal advice if needed. The program and its affiliates are released from liability for disputes or issues arising from homesharing arrangements.
What is the cost?
There is no cost to apply or participate in the SWFL Senior HomeShare program, thanks to the generous support of the Collaboratory and AARP grants. When a match is successfully made, the first month’s rent is split 50/50 between the home provider and the SWFL Senior HomeShare program in order to help fund the program and assist other participants. After the first month, all subsequent rent payments are made directly from the home seeker to the home provider according to your agreed-upon arrangement. Both parties are responsible for their share of utilities and other household expenses as outlined in their homeshare agreement.
Can I choose my match?
Absolutely! You have complete control over your match decision. We facilitate introductions between compatible applicants, but you are fully responsible for choosing whether to proceed with a match. We encourage you to meet potential matches, ask questions, visit the home, and take your time making this important decision. Both the home provider and home seeker must mutually agree before any match is finalized. You should never feel pressured to accept a match that doesn’t feel right.
What if it does not work out?
We understand that sometimes arrangements don’t work as planned. Either party may terminate the HomeShare agreement with the agreed amount of days’ written notice, except in emergency situations. We encourage both parties to communicate openly and make a good-faith effort to resolve disagreements respectfully. While we hope every match succeeds, we recognize that circumstances change. If a home seeker refuses to leave after proper notice, the home provider may need to follow Florida’s legal eviction process.
Application
Download PDF Application
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
Send completed application:
Fax: 239-652-6921
Mail or Drop-off: 2830 Winkler Avenue, Suite 112, Fort Myers, FL 33916
Questions? Call 866-413-5337
Service Area
Serving Lee and Collier Counties including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Naples, North Fort Myers, Sanibel, and surrounding areas
Ready to find your HomeShare match?
Legal Notice
SWFL Senior HomeShare is a matching service operated in partnership with Home Coalition and Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida. The program does not own or control participating properties and is not party to agreements between home providers and home seekers. All homesharing arrangements are voluntary. By participating, applicants agree to hold harmless the program and affiliated organizations from claims arising from their homesharing arrangement.
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