IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 864 

Recognizing the importance of shared housing in the United States. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 12, 2006 

Mr. SANDERS submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Government Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the importance of shared housing in the United 

States. 

Whereas many people in the United States enjoy the friendships and economies that result from shared housing arrangements; 

Whereas communities throughout the United States benefit 

from the social ties, neighborhood stability, and efficient 

use of scarce resources that occur when people share 

housing; 

Whereas shared housing programs in the United States include in-home match-up programs, which pair seniors, 

persons with disabilities, single parents, working professionals, and low-income persons in shared housing arrangements; 


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•HRES 864 IH

Whereas shared housing programs also include shared living 

residences for elders or other special populations; 

Whereas the all-volunteer National Shared Housing Resource 

Center has a directory of nearly 200 organizations 

throughout the Nation that provide shared housing opportunities; 

Whereas shared housing offers older adults and people with 

disabilities, single parents, working professionals, and 

low-income persons a housing alternative that enables 

them to remain in their communities in housing that is 

affordable; 

Whereas homesharing can promote intergenerational understanding and is mutually beneficial, helping both residents at once; 

Whereas a recent study of homesharing arrangements found 

that homesharing can help elders to feel safer in their 

homes, to sleep and eat better, to get out in the community more often, to get chores done more easily, and to 

reduce the need to call on their families for help; 

Whereas homesharing provides an economical housing option 

to people of all ages and can help people during transitional periods, such as after the loss of a spouse or during a period of financial hardship or educational pursuit; 

Whereas shared living residences offer meals, housekeeping, 

laundry, and other types of assistance that promote independence and self-determination for older persons and 

delay entry into institutional medical settings; 

Whereas shared housing programs are sponsored by recognized non-profit community organizations, which carefully screen and monitor applicants to ensure a safe and 


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compatible match and a home-like shared living arrangement; and 

Whereas the establishment of a National Shared Housing 

Week would serve to recognize the importance of shared 

housing in the United States, to recognize providers of 

shared housing, and to further the awareness of the people of the United States of the availability, purposes, and 

benefits of shared housing: Now, therefore be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the establishment of a National 

3 Shared Housing Week to recognize the importance 

4 of shared housing in the United States and its role 

5 in increasing the number of housing units that are 

6 affordable and available to the people of the United 

7 States; and 

8 (2) urges the President to issue a proclamation 

9 designating such a week and encouraging the people 

10 of the United States to observe the week with appro11 priate ceremonies and activities. 

Æ 


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