Positive impacts of homesharing highlighted in report
The Homeshare Report 2025 has been published by The Homeshare Association. It highlights the growing impact of homesharing, which is described as a ‘cost-effective, intergenerational solution to social care and housing challenges in the UK and Ireland’.
Homesharing involves bringing two people together with different sets of needs, both of whom have something to offer each other. The householder (which in the 2025 report is a person aged 34-104), offers a bedroom and use of their home’s facilities to a homesharer in exchange for up to 15 hours of practical help and company per week. The 2025 report says that homesharers range from 21-78 years old.
The report documents that the primary reason for a householder to consider a homeshare arrangement was overnight security, with other reasons including:
- Loneliness/social isolation/bereavement
- Dementia/cognitive impairment
- Mobility difficulties/falls risks
It also documents the benefits homesharers have reported and provides case studies including one of a householder – Julian – who is living with dementia. Julian’s son Dominic says:
“The helpful bit for us is that there is always someone there. Dad is often putting things down and he’s always losing things, so it’s very useful having a Sharer in the home to locate those items easily. They also cook for each other and share meals together, although the Sharer probably cooks a little more than my father!”
Homesharer Monica says:
“Living with someone with dementia gave me a completely new insight. I’ve learned a lot about caring and supporting someone with dementia, I’ve learned how to see the real person behind the dementia mask and above all I’ve learned immensely about myself. All in all, this experience gives me a sense of purpose which I am grateful for.”
Read the report here: https://www.housinglin.org.uk/_assets/Resources/Housing/OtherOrganisation/Homeshare-Association-Annual-Report-2025-1.pdf