Sharing your home (homeshare)
In Queensland, most housing support is provided by the state government and community organisations. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ) may fund support that helps you live independently.
Housing options are about thinking how you live in a home, what you need to support your lifestyle, and what is required to live there. Your housing needs might change over time, and a different option could suit you better in the future.
Homesharing or co-residency matches people who need practical help to live at home with people who need or can offer accommodation. This is an option for people with disability or older people who need help with everyday activities, companionship, regular monitoring or the security of having another person in the house.
For example, a person with disability can share their home with a person who stays in the house at night and helps with some household jobs. The person without disability may provide this help in return for free or reduced rent.
How does it work?
The person with disability can:
- live in their own home and a person/s without disability moves in with them
- live in the home of a person/s without disability
- share a rental home with the person/s without disability under a dual tenancy arrangement
- organise other shared living arrangements that suit everyone involved.
Benefits
The benefits of sharing your home include:
- the person with disability is able to live more independently
- the person with disability can save money
- the home sharer can save money
- new family and friendship networks can be created.
Who can be a home sharer?
- Couples with or without children
- Single adults
- Several unrelated adults
Is homesharing for you?
If you are interested in exploring homesharing as an option, talk with your service provider and/or your planning group.
More information
- Queensland homesharing experiences
- Housing for people with disability—Housing that meets your needs enables you to live more independently, supports your health and wellbeing, and enables you to participate in all aspects of life.
- Homeshare Australia and New Zealand Alliance (HANZA) is the peak body for Homeshare and its providers in Australia and New Zealand, advocatin for the development of Homeshare in the region.
- Housing Hub—Australia’s largest accessible housing platform, helping people with disability find suitable housing and access NDIS ‘home and living’ supports.
- Action for More Independence & Dignity in Accommodation (AMIDA)—AMIDA is an independent advocacy organisation which advocates for good housing for people with disability. They can provide advocacy to individuals, with priority given to people with an intellectual disability.
- Home and living—The NDIS can assist participants to live independently. Participants and their families can discuss their home and living goals as part of their planning conversation. A participant's plan will include the supports the NDIS will fund as well as the supports the participant will need to access through the housing system.
- People with Disability Australia—provides a range of services that support people with disability to secure housing that best suits their needs.
- Tom - Living a Good Life—Tom moves from his family home to live in his own home with housemates.
- Adam Moves Out—Adam who is 25 moves out of home for the first time and shares his story.
- Jonathan—Jonathan lives in his own home with a co-resident who provides him with support.