One home shared, two lives strengthened

For many senior adults in the East Valley, staying in the home they love is becoming harder each year.

Rising housing costs, medical expenses and everyday necessities continue stretching fixed incomes further and further. Today, older adults are the fastest-growing population experiencing homelessness in Arizona. Many seniors are forced to make impossible choices between covering the costs of housing or buying food and medicine.

AZCEND and its partners are working to change that story through the East Valley Senior Home Sharing program. Sometimes the solution is simpler than one might expect. Often times, it starts by opening a door.

For Dean and Guy, it started with sharing a home.

Meeting at the right time

Dean moved to Arizona during the pandemic after caring for his mother, who was in her nineties. Eventually he purchased a home in the East Valley and started a new chapter of his own life.

Like many older adults, he values staying active and independent. These days he keeps busy working mornings and evenings delivering food around the community. Still, Dean knew there was space in his home and in his life.

“I have always been someone who likes people around,” Dean shared. “Most of my life I have lived with someone. Having another person in the home just feels natural.”

When he heard about the East Valley Senior Home Sharing program, he decided to give it a try. Dean connected with the program coordinator, completed the intake process and welcomed the opportunity to meet potential housemates through a structured and supportive matching process.

Then he met Guy. “We were about the same age and had a lot in common,” Dean said. “We both had similar work backgrounds and we were both easygoing. Right away it felt like a good match.”

A new beginning for Guy

The opportunity came at a critical moment for Guy.

While he was experiencing homelessness, Guy participated in programs at AZCEND as he worked to rebuild his life. Guy’s case manager helped him secure important documentation and find employment. Through that support, he learned about the East Valley Senior Home Sharing program and was connected with Dean.

Guy hadn’t lived with a roommate in decades and admits he was nervous when the two men first met. Their conversation quickly eased those concerns. “When we sat down and talked, the anxiety went away,” Guy said. “It was a smooth transition and much more organized than I thought it would be.”

Shortly after their meeting, Guy moved into Dean’s home. The timing turned out to be especially meaningful as Guy moved into a safe place where he could recover just days after leaving the hospital.

“It gave me stability when I really needed it,” he said. “I had a place where I could rest and focus on getting healthy again.”

More than just a place to live

Today, Guy and Dean share a home that offers both stability and companionship. Their routines are simple but meaningful. In the mornings they often sit together and talk before Dean leaves for work. They simply check in with each other throughout the day, and sometimes they watch a show in the evening. 

“It is nice not coming home to an empty house,” Dean said. “We talk about life and things from the past. Just having that interaction makes a difference.”

For Guy, the home provides something just as important: security. “He made me feel comfortable right away,” Guy said. “He wanted to make sure I felt at home here. That made the whole process much easier.”

The two are getting to know each other, and their connection continues to grow. For Dean, sharing his home has helped reduce financial pressure while also bringing companionship. For Guy, it has provided stability, connection and the opportunity to rebuild.

And for both of them, home sharing has created something many older adults quietly need: community.

A program built on trust and support

Leaders in the East Valley Senior Home Sharing program carefully match homeowners and housemates through interviews, background checks and compatibility assessments. Participants also receive ongoing support throughout the process to ensure successful matches and positive experiences.

“Home sharing is about more than housing,” said Christina Weaver, Senior Home Sharing Program Coordinator. “It’s about dignity, connection and helping older adults remain independent in the homes and communities they love. When the right match happens, it creates stability and belonging for both people.”

Dean experienced that support firsthand. “Christina was fantastic,” he said. “She helped make sure the match was right for both of us. The process was very positive.”

For Guy, the program provided something even deeper. “Without AZCEND, I would still be in a very bad place,” he said. “They helped me get back on my feet. I thank my lucky stars every day for the help they gave me.”

Why more homeowners are needed

Programs like East Valley Senior Home Sharing exist because the need is growing. Across Maricopa County, many seniors live on fixed incomes that simply have not kept pace with rising housing costs.

Home sharing offers a practical solution. It allows homeowners to remain in their homes longer while gaining financial relief and companionship. For housemates, it provides a safe and affordable place to live.

For the program to reach more seniors, more homeowners are needed.

Dean has simple advice for anyone considering opening their home, “I would tell people it can be a very positive experience,” he said. “You get some extra income, someone in the home and the chance to help another person. With the right match, it works really well.”

Guy agrees. “If someone has the space and is willing to share it, it can change a life.”

How you can help

When a homeowner opens their door through the East Valley Senior Home Sharing program, they are doing more than renting a room. They are helping prevent homelessness among older adults, building community and creating stability at a time when many seniors need it most.

You can be part of that solution.

Opening your home is one powerful way to help. Another is telling others about the East Valley Senior Home Sharing program to ensure seniors across the East Valley have access to housing resources, guidance and compassionate support when they need it most.

Learn more at East Valley Senior Home Sharing or reach program staff directly at info@evseniorhomesharing.org or (480) 389-1284.

Together, we can ensure that more seniors in the East Valley have a safe place to live, supportive neighbors and the opportunity to thrive.