Affordable, Accessible Housing Options for Older 

Adults

Aging and Housing Partnership in Pennsylvania

NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania (NWNEPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit 

community development organization working to create stable, vibrant communities by 

amplifying the voices of residents and providing guidance, assistance, and financial 

support. The Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging (LCAAA) is an innovative 

AAA that seeks to enhance opportunities for older adults to be empowered. The two 

agencies have worked together for years to assess and respond to people’s needs 

within the community. Together they developed NWNEPA’s Aging in Place program.

Programs

The LCAAA, through the advisement and funding of Pennsylvania Department of Aging, 

began offering two unique shared housing models, SHARE, Shared Housing and

Resource Exchange, and the Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO). NWNEPA 

is the designated housing partner for both programs. For SHARE, NWNEPA identifies 

homeowners interested in sharing their homes with home seekers in exchange for rent, 

help around the house, or a combination of both. For ECHO, NWNEPA manages the 

cottages owned by the LCAAA. These small, manufactured residences are temporarily 

placed in the side or rear yard of an older adult’s friend or family member or elsewhere 

in a community setting as a subsidized affordable housing option. 

More recently, the two have begun to tackle abuse and neglect issues facing older 

adults by adapting child advocacy center models for elder abuse and mistreatment. The

innovative Senior Advocacy Center will offer transitional housing resources and
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education to older adults who are victims of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The goal is 

to have the center opened in fall 2023. It will be the first in the state and will offer a onestop center with physical exam and clinical services, four shelter rooms, wraparound 

and personal care services.

Partnership Best Practices

• Continue to build partnership. Meet at least weekly (sometimes daily) to address 

needs in communities and explore new and innovative approaches and

opportunities to break down barriers for older adults.

• Prioritize the other agency’s referrals.

Lessons Learned

• Go back to reassess community needs regularly, as they may have changed.

• One agency can help to build trust among participants and provide an 

introduction to the services provided by the other agency in a friendly way.

Formal Agreements

The partnership operates under contract for services between NWNEPA and LCAAA 

which NWNEPA applies for through a county-wide request-for-qualifications process. 

Supplemental programs, such as SHARE and ECHO are contracted under

memorandums of understanding (MOUs) that identify roles, responsibilities, and fiscal 

information required by each organization. 

Funding Source Federal State/Local Other

Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) X X

Shared Housing & Resource Exchange (SHARE) X

Senior Advocacy Center X X

Contacts

Mary Endrusick, Aging in Place Manager, NWNEPA, mendrusick@nwnepa.org

Sara McDonald, Acting Director, LCAAA, mcdonalds@lackawannacounty.org