Frequently asked housing questions

 

For those seeking housing:

 

  1. I am a single individual, without children, and a clean criminal record, who can pay $500 a month rent. Am I a good candidate for shared Housing?  Yes

 

  1. I am an individual who has enough income to pay between $400-600 in rent including utilities, per month. Do I qualify for Shared Housing Program?  Yes

 

  1. I have a very good history of paying rent on time. Does this increase my chances of finding housing through your program?  Yes

 

  1. I don’t smoke and I don’t have any pets.  Do you think I can find a housemate in your program?  Yes   Many of our Providers prefer housemates who do not smoke, at least inside, and who do not have any pets. 

 

  1. I am willing to live anywhere in Santa Clara County. Will this help me find housing through your program?  Yes, since our program serves all of Santa Clara County, all of our Providers must reside somewhere in Santa Clara County.

 

  1. I consider myself a neat, clean, friendly, open individual who gets along well with others. Do you think I could find the right housemate?  Yes, there’s a good possibility that you would find a housemate. The decision to share housing is always between the Provider and the Seeker.

 

  1. I want to offer services such as house cleaning, cooking, etc.  in exchange for reduced rent. Is there a good chance Shared Housing can help me find such an arrangement?  Not likely. Unfortunately we have very few providers who can offer reduced rent in exchange for housing services.

 

  1. I just want to rent a room for 1-2 months. Is this a good program for me?  No, for several reasons.  Finding just the right housemate takes time, including an appointment with Catholic Charities Housing Advisor, time for you to telephone Potential Providers from the housing listings, time to meet personally with the other person, time to visit the home under consideration, check references, agree to house rules, etc.  Secondly, our Shared Housing Program tries to help housemates keep a match for at least three months. The average length of a match in our program is 12 months.

 

  1. I receive a monthly income of $584. Is this enough to qualify for SHP?

        No, our Providers with housing to share are asking between $400-550 for monthly rent.  We suggest a Seeker have at least             $750 monthly income to qualify for Shared Housing. 

 

 

For those Providers who want to share their home with others:

 

1.      I have an extra bedroom or two in my home and I am willing to let someone else use my kitchen, laundry area and living space and am asking $450 for monthly rent. Do I qualify your program?   Yes, as long as you live in Santa Clara County and have a clear criminal record.

 

2.      I will respect the privacy of anyone who agrees to share my home. Does this

help qualify me for SHP?  Yes, it is important for both the Provider and the Seeker to respect the privacy with those living in the household.

 

3.      I’m thinking of renting out an extra bedroom in my home and asking

somewhere between $400-600 including utilities.  Does this seem like a reasonable price to ask? Yes, all of the Seekers in our program must be able to    pay between $400-550 per month, including utilities.  Of course the rent you are asking depends on the size of your extra bedroom, and also assumes that the Seeker would also be sharing the common areas of your home (kitchen, bathroom if not providing a private bathroom, living area, laundry, yard).