Increased expenses alleviated by shared housing.

Posted Fri, 11/18/2011 - 20:10 by zoe morrison

We attended the Town Hall Meeting on Tax Abatement hosted at Hollywood Senior Center. The community room was filled with folks who voiced concern about increased tax burden while struggling to meet their expenses. This meeting was arranged by Elders in Action.

Several programs across the country address shared housing. Many programs recognize that sharing a home decreases isolation, increases longevity and reduces energy consumption overall. Long-standing programs include:

Virginia Department for the Aging

University of Michigan Housing Bureau for Seniors

Lets Share Housing! A homeowner's increase in cash flow based on an average 3 bedroom home:

Increased income (home sharing one room)
400 mo X 12 4800 a year

Split the Rent Calculator is a good way to determine the distribution of expenses for potential housemates.

Reduced food costs
50 a week X 52       2600 a year

reduced water costs
75 bi-monthly /2 X 6        225 a year

Gas bill
AVG 80 per month/2           480 a year

Reduced Electrical cost
75 a month/2        450 a year

Reduced maintenance cost ?
Reduced time in maintaining home overall ?
5 hours week/2 2.5 hours a week
use this time for hobbies, volunteer
Share vehicle/costs/upkeep/insurance
Insurance: 80 mo X 12= 960/2 480 a year
Gas vehicle 100 mo X 12/2        600 a year
Maintainance 70 mo X 12/2         420 a year