HOW DOES THIS WORK?
Some of the people for whom Total Living Concept (TLC) organizes support share their homes with a housemate. The housemate enables people to safely live in a home of their own without 24 hour per day paid support. By written agreement between the housemate and each person, the housemate makes a commitment to be home with the person during specific agreed upon hours five (5) nights each week in exchange for rent and basic utilities. The agreed upon hours each night and morning are those when the person is sleeping. During these hours, the person does not require regular, ongoing assistance and support. The role of the housemate is to ensure the person’s safety and to respond to any immediate emergency or illness that could occur.
WHO PAYS FOR THIS?
Most of the people who live with a housemate receive a Housing Choice Voucher through the King County Housing Authority’s Section 8 Program. Through a Section 8 approved reasonable accommodation, the person is awarded a two-bedroom voucher for an individual to live in the person’s home and provide the necessary assistance described above.
WHAT WOULD I BE EXPECTED TO DO?
Most of the people who live with a housemate receive a Housing Choice Voucher through the King County Housing Authority’s Section 8 Program. Through a Section 8 approved reasonable accommodation, the person is awarded a two-bedroom voucher for an individual to live in the person’s home and provide the necessary assistance described above.
HOW MANY NIGHTS WOULD I BE EXPECTED TO BE HOME?
Housemates agree to be home 5 nights per week. Planned time off for some of the agreed upon hours can be negotiated.
WHAT TIME OF DAY WOULD I BE EXPECTED TO BE HOME?
Each person and his/her housemate agree upon the exact hours. Typically, the hours are not earlier than 9 pm each evening through no later than 7 am each morning.
WHAT ARE THE HOME'S LIVING ARRANGEMENTS?
Most individuals live in a 2 bedroom / 2 bathroom apartment that provides both the person and the housemate with a private bedroom / bathroom. Several people, if available, have opted to offer the master suite to the housemate to optimize privacy. Common areas of the home are shared.
WOULD I BE AN EMPLOYEE?
*Ask human resources manager.
HOW MUCH WOULD I BE EXPECTED TO PAY?
Housemates are responsible for private utilities such as cable, phone, internet services.
HOW LONG WOULD THIS LAST?
As long as the arrangement remains satisfactory to both the Housemate and the Person We Support, this type of arrangement can be maintained for several years.
HOW DO I QUALIFY?
Requirements Include:
* Being Interviewed and Selected by the Person We Support.
* Passing a Washington State Background Check.
* Passing a Rental Application Process.
* Providing Rental and Personal References.
* Completing Paperwork for the Section 8 Housing Program.
