CREATIVE HOUSING ALTERNATIVES: STRUCTURED HOME LIVING

SHARED HOME, SHARED RULES & RESPONSIBILITIES, SHARED RESOURCES

While the issues of housing are real life, tough, heavy decisions and huge financial stakes, we design solutions that are not only cost effective, readily available and accessible, but will have a rebound effect to resolve other social issues like homelessness, unemployement and poverty. 

The Nursing Office Home Sharing/Home Living Project Model:   A Simple, Practical, and Humane Response to New York City's Housing Crisis

                                                Home is Where You Are!

In a very transient and fast-changing environment where many people find themselves today, any place should and can be made into a home, such that we can truthfully say, "Home is Where You Are."

Having a Home and a livable space to call one's own is one of the most fundamental basis of good health --- physical, mental, and emotional.  Thus the present crisis of homelessness for those truly in need is a health crisis, albeit, an emerging health care crisis if not addressed in creative, innovative or unconventional ways.

In line with its mission of offering Nurse-Driven Housing Solutions, The Nursing Office (TNO) seeks to address the shortage of affordable housing through the following:

• Assisted Home Living (in the comfort of your own home)
• Home-Sharing Programs
• Service Assistance to the Homeless ( women, men, young adults, veterans, families)

Assisted Home Living consists of providing some homeowners, particularly, Senior citizens, disabled, persons, or persons with special needs, with access to service providers who would help them in their daily living activities, so they can maintain their independence if they choose to, or have someone living there (or coming in) to help them.

Home-Sharing Program consists of organizing the physical residence of a homeowner to acquire amenities, i.e., simple, minimal facilities, furniture, or appliances, in order to enable a limited number of persons to comfortably occupy individual rooms rented or paid for at a very affordable rate, or maybe on a sliding scale according to the roomer/tenant's ability to pay.  Such tenants or "roomers" are properly screened for eligibility in terms of "true need." 

This practice is not altogether new, since most homeowners have already been doing this to help pay high mortgages in NYC.  The Nursing Office will facilitate the process by either acquiring or renting a residence to help the homeowner stay in her own home by generating income from room renters; by assisting in screening applicants for reliability & trustworthiness; and by setting up House Rules & Protocols in a Memorandum of Agreement or Understanding between the Home Owner (or Primary Tenant) and the Secondary Tenants/Room renters.

In addition, TNO envisions that the Tenants/Room renters will be encouraged to take part in TNO's programs by volunteering their time, talent, abilities or experience, or other relevant resources.  The goal of their volunteer service is to establish bonds of friendship & camaraderie among the Tenants, as well as cordial feelings of being in an Extended Family Circle.  In this way, Tenants/Roomers share time and resources in common daily activities, such as cooking, cleaning, maintenance, etc., and other activities that enhance Courtesy, Respect, and Harmony in relationships.

Service Assistance to the Homeless consists of providing referrals to public or private housing programs, job training, job leads for livelihood, loan assistance in emergencies, or legal and/or advocacy needs. 

TNO offers a template of House Rules and Tenant Screening Procedures, to encourage more homeowners to consider practicing this model with minimal cost or effort and maximum benefits.  

Our Housing Projects (A Theme for Every Group)

Housing Structures & Design

• Mixed Residential Homes
• Manila Dorm
• QUEER House
• Nurses Lounge
• myNursingHome
• The Frog House (Vacation Homes & House Hopping Program)

Benefits of Home Living 

Affordable,Organized, Healhty Lifestyle through Shared Governance and Shared Resources 

Advocacy for the homeless

There should be no reason why anyone is homeless. Our mission is to empower you to create your home or provide home for others. Home is where you are.

Dream your own. Dream your Home!

INTERGENERATIONAL HOME SHARING

Here are some programs from the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens, which helps seniors enjoy healthier, safer, more productive and dignified lives in their own homes and communities, based and patterned from Con Edison’s CONCERN Program.

This free matching service pairs hosts, who have a spare private space in their houses or apartments, with responsible, compatible guests seeking affordable housing.

Home sharing helps ease financial burdens and provides companionship.  Guests may choose to contribute toward monthly household expenses or provide household services in exchange for lower or even zero payments.  One of the participants must be age 60 or older.  The program also serves hosts age 55 or older who wish to share their dwelling and high-functioning, developmentally disables guests age 18 and older who are capable of living independently.

Professional social workers provide confidential screening and matching services as well as assistance with negotiating the shared living arrangements. 

EMPTY NESTERS PLAN

RESPITE CARE

This program offers affordable ($9 per hour on weekdays, and $9.25 per hour on weekends) short-term home care by certified attendants for the elderly when regular caregivers need time off or when an elderly person needs temporary help following hospitalization.  Services include personal care and hygiene, meal preparation, shopping, escorting, light housekeeping and laundry.  Applicants must be at least 60 years old, New York City residents, and require daily living assistance.  Visit www.nyfsc.org, email nyfscinc@aol.com, or call 1-212-962-7559.

BE A COMPANION TO A SENIOR

Senior companions are healthy older adults who help homebound or isolated fellow seniors live independently.  Services include friendly visits, shopping assistance, or escorting a senior to a doctor’s appointment or other community activity.  Companions also help seniors obtain access-a-ride and meals on wheels.  Most importantly, volunteers provide friendship and companionship.

Senior companions visit their clients on a scheduled basis.  Sponsored by Henry Street Settlement and funded through the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Senior Companion Program is available in all of New York City’s five boroughs.

Con Edison also offers Senior Direct at 1-800-404-9097, so that older customers can conveniently speak with a Con Edison representative.

RESOURCES:

www.findmyseniorliving.com