Title
a. Consider Board Referral 2020.05 regarding County support of the Covia Home Match Pilot Program; and
b. Provide direction to staff.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Consider Board Referral 2020.05 regarding County support of the Covia Home Match Pilot Program; and
b. Provide direction to staff.
SUMMARY:
Pursuant to a board referral on January 28, 2020 by Supervisor Adams (#2020.05), the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors is being asked to discuss partnering with Covia to implement a pilot Home Match program in Monterey County. Covia's Home Match Program is based on a successful national home-sharing model. Home Match increases the availability of affordable housing for low-to-moderate income individuals by utilizing existing housing stock and enabling homeowners (or renters) with empty bedrooms-most often single, older females-to afford to stay in their homes. Home Match connects these home providers with people seeking an affordable place to live. The program conducts outreach, screenings (including criminal background checks), interviews, home visits, compatibility-based matching, Living Together Agreements, and ongoing support. Home Match can provide desperately needed housing options almost immediately upon implementation, without waiting years to build new housing. The program's cost is miniscule compared to building even one new apartment unit. This would help the County meet important goals: empowering aging community members to stay in their chosen homes, combatting social isolation of older adults, creating affordable housing options by leveraging existing housing stock, and increasing housing density in the short-term while working on longer-term solutions of building additional affordable housing. It is recommended that the County support and partially fund implementation of the Covia Home Match Pilot Program in Monterey County. This is a common-sense solution to adding affordable housing optio...
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