The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) announces that the SWFL Senior HomeShare Project has been temporarily paused effective immediately due to unforeseen circumstances affecting project implementation. The organization remains deeply committed to this innovative housing solution and plans to revamp and relaunch the program when conditions allow.
The Senior HomeShare Project was designed to address an urgent crisis in Lee and Collier counties, where senior homelessness has reached alarming levels. According to local Continuum of Care data, senior homelessness in Lee County rose from 85 individuals in 2019 to 260 in 2024—an increase of more than 200 percent. Collier County experienced a dramatic spike in 2023, when senior homelessness more than quadrupled in a single year. These trends reflect mounting housing affordability pressures, with fixed incomes failing to keep pace with rising rents, taxes, and insurance costs, compounded by the lasting impacts of COVID-19 and Hurricane Ian.
The program, modeled after the successful Pinellas Home Share which has operated for over 19 years, was designed to match Home Providers (homeowners age 55+) with Home Seekers (renters age 55+) to create safe, affordable, and mutually beneficial living arrangements. Beyond addressing housing affordability, the program aimed to reduce social isolation and enhance safety for participants through companionship and shared living support.
“While we are disappointed to pause this critical initiative, we believe taking time to reassess and strengthen the program’s foundation will ultimately lead to more successful outcomes for our seniors,” said Maricela Morado, President & CEO of AAASWFL. “The data shows that older adults are entering homelessness for the first time at unprecedented rates, making preventative, cost-effective solutions like Senior HomeShare more essential than ever. Our commitment to addressing this crisis remains unwavering.”
The AAASWFL had developed comprehensive safety protocols for the program in partnership with other community organizations, including national criminal background checks, reference verification, home safety visit, and quarterly check-ins in the first year to ensure participant wellbeing. The organization will use this pause to further refine these processes and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, some including Baker Senior Center Naples, and the Lee and Collier Continuum of Care Committees to name a couple.
The organization appreciates the support and interest shown by community members, partner organizations, and potential participants who have inquired about the program. The AAASWFL will continue to provide its comprehensive range of services to older adults and adults with disabilities across its seven-county service area while working diligently to reimagine the HomeShare Project’s structure and implementation strategy.
For more information about AAASWFL’s current services and programs, please visit www.aaaswfl.org or call the Elder Helpline at 1-866-413-5337.
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Posted: December 23, 2025 by
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida Temporarily Pauses Senior HomeShare Project
The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (AAASWFL) announces that the SWFL Senior HomeShare Project has been temporarily paused effective immediately due to unforeseen circumstances affecting project implementation. The organization remains deeply committed to this innovative housing solution and plans to revamp and relaunch the program when conditions allow.
The Senior HomeShare Project was designed to address an urgent crisis in Lee and Collier counties, where senior homelessness has reached alarming levels. According to local Continuum of Care data, senior homelessness in Lee County rose from 85 individuals in 2019 to 260 in 2024—an increase of more than 200 percent. Collier County experienced a dramatic spike in 2023, when senior homelessness more than quadrupled in a single year. These trends reflect mounting housing affordability pressures, with fixed incomes failing to keep pace with rising rents, taxes, and insurance costs, compounded by the lasting impacts of COVID-19 and Hurricane Ian.
The program, modeled after the successful Pinellas Home Share which has operated for over 19 years, was designed to match Home Providers (homeowners age 55+) with Home Seekers (renters age 55+) to create safe, affordable, and mutually beneficial living arrangements. Beyond addressing housing affordability, the program aimed to reduce social isolation and enhance safety for participants through companionship and shared living support.
“While we are disappointed to pause this critical initiative, we believe taking time to reassess and strengthen the program’s foundation will ultimately lead to more successful outcomes for our seniors,” said Maricela Morado, President & CEO of AAASWFL. “The data shows that older adults are entering homelessness for the first time at unprecedented rates, making preventative, cost-effective solutions like Senior HomeShare more essential than ever. Our commitment to addressing this crisis remains unwavering.”
The AAASWFL had developed comprehensive safety protocols for the program in partnership with other community organizations, including national criminal background checks, reference verification, home safety visit, and quarterly check-ins in the first year to ensure participant wellbeing. The organization will use this pause to further refine these processes and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, some including Baker Senior Center Naples, and the Lee and Collier Continuum of Care Committees to name a couple.
The organization appreciates the support and interest shown by community members, partner organizations, and potential participants who have inquired about the program. The AAASWFL will continue to provide its comprehensive range of services to older adults and adults with disabilities across its seven-county service area while working diligently to reimagine the HomeShare Project’s structure and implementation strategy.
For more information about AAASWFL’s current services and programs, please visit www.aaaswfl.org or call the Elder Helpline at 1-866-413-5337.
Category: Collier County, Housing, Lee County Tags: Senior HomeSharing
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