HomeShare Ulster County connects home providers and home seekers to help people remain in their communities, strengthen bonds between neighbors, and create mutually beneficial, affordable housing solutions. A great solution for people who are "cost burdened" as home owners, pressured by taxes and upkeep, and those renters who are "cost burdened" by the high costs of rentals. The process is careful
and takes time to implement but it has advantages that are attractive to both Providers and Seekers. In exchange for affordable rent, Seekers provide their Providers with light house/yard work, transportation, companionship, computer assistance, or assistance with other tasks. Agreements provide clarity, stability and a recognition that sometimes conflicts arise or situations change requiring a dissolution of the arrangement. Home sharing uses housing that already exists, reducing the cost of affordable rentals to our residents and creating less environmental impact from building activities. Initially, the program focused on the Town of Woodstock's housing needs. 4 years later it now offers its services in the Town(s) of Woodstock, Olive, Hurley, Shandaken, Saugerties, and Ulster. We just expanded our service area Spring 2025 to include the City of Kingston! The program is seeking homeowners who have space to share such as a room in their home, an accessory dwelling above a garage, or a studio/cottage that is not connected to the main house. Participating homeowners will be matched with individuals seeking housing, with priority given initially to those who work or volunteer in town, who already live-in town, or who were recently forced out due to the lack of rentals. HomeShare Ulster County's services are FREE of charge and open to all applicants. The final choice to make a match is determined by both the Provider and Seeker after careful background and compatibility checks. HomeShare Ulster County is a 'High Touch' program, featuring personal intake interviews with one of our trained Match Coordinators, reference & background checks, your own personal Match Coordinator, and follow up with match situations. Trained Family of Woodstock Inc. hotline staff and volunteers give our homeshare program the ongoing 24/7 support. Interested in finding out more about becoming a PROVIDER, a SEEKER, or a VOLUNTEER in Upstate NY’s FIRST HomeShare program? Contact us at [email protected] or call 845-331-7080 ext. 162 today!
