Economic benefits

Economics of home sharing

• Share the LIHEAP love! If either party in a home share match are eligible for Vermont’s fuel benefits from LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) both the home seeker and the home provider can benefit.
• Reduce the financial cost of caring for a child, a parent, or other family member.
• Share the cost of fuel, utilities, food, transportation, etc.
• Give, receive, or exchange services.
• The average home share stipend, $160/month versus $800/month for a one bedroom apartment rental in our service area.

What is a home share worth?

Lots of folks have questions about what services are worth.  While it’s hard to put a price tag on many aspects of home sharing, you might find these 2010 rates helpful for comparison:

• A house cleaner working 4 hours/week makes $171/month
• A food preparer working 15 hours/week makes $570/month
• An animal caretaker working 1 hour/week makes $42/month
• A home maintenance and repair service provider working 2 hours/week makes $137/month
• A hired driver working 2 hours/week makes $88/month

Sources:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ for the State of Vermont
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)