PLACENTIA : Housemate Referrals Pair Owners, Seekers

A program that matches homeowners with people who wish to share a house, apartment or other residence is offered through the city’s Human Services department.

Shared Housing was started by the city in 1976 as a referral service for homeowners who wanted to share their home.

Director of human services Betty Escobosa said that she does not keep track of how many matches have resulted from the service but that the number of inquiries is steady.

The program has more homeowners than home seekers, Escobosa said.

While most homeowners in the program are either senior citizens or widows and widowers, home seekers include people of all ages.

For many home seekers, the shared housing is a temporary arrangement, Escobosa said.

Homeowners are a mix of those needing extra income and those who merely want the companionship or extra security of a housemate.

Shared Housing does not screen applicants. Both homeowners and home seekers are encouraged to interview potential housemates, and homeowners are told to require and check references of home seekers.

For more information about Shared Housing, call (714) 630-3871 or (714) 993-6084.