HomeMatch Pima
By Linda Travis , PCOA Home Sharing Coordinator
can be assumed that there is typically some modification and compromise on the part of both the homeowner and the homesharer. This
Let’s face it—here in Tucson and Pima County it’s becoming very hot outside and most of us are likely to favor indoor activities throughout the summer. Once you enjoy reading, watching movies and television, cooking, and spending time with friends and family, there may be another activity to consider that carries more value than may initially appear to be the case. Looking around your home, you probably see a few piles of treasures that were never supposed to get so large or unruly. You’ve probably told yourself, “I will get to that someday” yet that day never presents itself. Our hot summers provide a wonderful time to refresh our home spaces. You know the options about sorting through items--keep them, organize them, display them/hide them, trash them, donate them, sell them and so much more. Perhaps it is time to share a few items with family and friends? On an even grander scale, are you thinking of making a change in how or where you live? Many older adults want to stay in their homes, yet the home is too large for one person and house maintenance is becoming a burden. Other older adults may want to sell their homes yet wish to stay in their neighborhood and community. In either case, homesharing speaks to the comfort and familiarity of staying in a community while also branching out and trying something new. Through generous funding from the Pima County Board of Supervisors and the City of Tucson, Pima Council on Aging (PCOA) is beginning a pilot homesharing program. HomeMatch Pima is the name of the program, which may open later in 2022. PCOA is grateful to be a recipient of these funds and, to our knowledge, proud to be the first homesharing program in Arizona. We are often asked to explain a bit more about homesharing and are happy to do so here. Homesharing involves homeowners choosing to share and rent their homes with compatible homesharers. For homeowners, sharing their homes may be a fantastic way to continue living in their communities, to enjoy companionship and to receive additional income through rent. For the homesharer, there is also an opportunity to enjoy companionship along with possible financial savings. Social connection is a substantial benefit to many engaged in homesharing. With the perspective of possibly participating in HomeMatch Pima, reflect on what your needs are about your space, particularly as related to furniture. What furniture items might you want to discard, donate, share with a friend, or place in storage? What furniture items are particularly important and must be kept? While each homesharing situation is unique, it
PCOA Event Policy * In accordance with CDC guidelines, masking at PCOA facilities is optional for staff, volunteers, and members of the public. CDC recommends people at high risk of serious illness from COVID 19 discuss when they should wear masks and other precautions with their healthcare provider. PCOA representatives will gladly put on a mask at your request. Participants at in-person event(s) will be expected to adhere to distancing and safety guidelines as provided. Guidelines for functions held in community sites not operated by PCOA may vary. including with Tucson Home Sharing, which focuses on providing information sessions on home sharing arrangements to the general community. HomeMatch Pima is a home sharing program at Pima Council on Aging that will open later in 2022 and is designed to match home owners with home sharers. The program works collaboratively within the community to increase knowledge and access to home sharing options, We wish you the best as you imagine your next chapter and contemplate changes in your living environment for the remainder of 2022 and beyond. Be safe in the heat and enjoy your summer! is an example of the type of conversations you might have during “getting acquainted” meetings or upon making a firm decision to live together. Our belongings are important yet should not paralyze our ability to refresh our perspectives as we contemplate new chapters in our lives. At this time, we are asking homeowners interested in learning more about HomeMatch Pima to complete a brief interest form. (That form can be accessed through HomeSharing.pcoa.org). The interest form does not commit you to the program! By the way, you do not need to have everything ready and organized in your home space before you send in the interest form! We will then follow up with interested homeowners and provide information about the next steps about the program. As HomeMatch Pima develops, more information will be provided on our website and in future issues of Never Too Late. Thank you for taking the time to envision yourself as a potential homeowner or homesharer in our program.
June 2022, Never Too Late | Page 29
Pima Council on Aging
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