Come explore a range of possible options to both increase both Albany's housing stock and improve resident's personal housing flexibility. Panel presentation and discussion (confirmed to date) 
• Loni Gray, ZODwellings, expert on redesigning a house to better accommodate a variety of unrelated people comfortably sharing • Lilypad Homes, a nonprofit organization leading the way with approaches to infill housing that offer more affordable housing options for both homeowners and renters • Mary Doleman, St. Alban’s parishioner, who has opened her large home to several roommates. Known and unknown. • HIP Housing a leader in providing creative affordable housing solutions in San Mateo County, has shared videos of their program WHY SHARED HOUSING? Home Sharing is a simple idea: a homeowner offers accommodation to a homesharer in exchange for an agreed level of support in the form of financial exchange, assistance with household tasks, or both. The community is also a beneficiary of Home Sharing. Shared living makes efficient use of existing housing stock, helps preserve the fabric of the neighborhood and, in certain cases, helps to lessen the need for costly chore/care services and long term institutional care. A home sharer might be a senior citizen, a person with disabilities, a working professional, someone at-risk of homelessness, a single parent, or simply a person wishing to share his or her life and home with others. For these people, shared housing offers companionship, affordable housing, security, mutual support and much more. Home Sharing programs can offer a more secure alternative to other roommate options. Many programs have staff who are trained to carefully screen each program applicant through interviewing, background checking, and personal references. From: http://nationalsharedhousing.org

 Hosted by Vice Mayor Peggy McQuaid 

with support from the Diverse Housing Working Group (not yet sponsored by EBCOHO, but we may get involved)