How it works
Choose where you live and who you live with
A real roommate matched to your loved one, in a real home, with real support. Matching roommates since 2020, with 100+ matches so far.
Why life-sharing
Families deserve more options
For a long time, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have had few options for where and how they live.
Life-sharing is a different path: independent living with a compatible roommate in a real home. Your loved one builds their own life while your family stays connected.
- Real independence in a real home
- A roommate matched on personality rather than availability
- Families stay involved from matching through move-in and beyond
- Funded through California Regional Centers
What to expect
From first call to moving in
Intro call
Learn about Homies, ask questions, and see if it's a fit. No commitment.
Assessment and Regional Center referral
Your service coordinator sends us a referral, and our team completes a detailed intake. This isn't about approving or denying. It's about understanding your loved one so we can find the right match.
Roommate matching
We find a rockstar roommate, matched on personality, lifestyle, and interests rather than availability. You might already know someone great, like a friend or former staff member.
Finding a home
Most pairs look for a new place together, and our team helps with the search. Sometimes one person moves into the other's home instead.
Move-in and ongoing support
After move-in, we check in regularly and are available 24/7. Families stay informed.
Our standard
We won't settle, and neither should you
Every successful match we've made has one thing in common: the roommate is a rockstar. Qualified on paper, and kind and steady in person.
We won't move forward on a match unless we believe it will last. We'd rather wait for the right person than rush a bad fit.
- Matched on personality, interests, and lifestyle
- Thorough background checks and training
- Monthly check-ins after move-in
- 24/7 support for your loved one and their roommate
What support actually looks like
It's just life together.
Cooking dinner together
Learning new recipes, meal planning, and sharing meals. Not a care plan, just life together.
Grocery shopping
Making a list, sticking to a budget, and navigating the store. Everyday skills practiced in real life.
Being home overnight
Having someone you trust at home with you. Peace of mind for you and your family.
Getting to work or appointments
Rides, reminders, and encouragement. Whatever helps keep the schedule on track.
Managing bills & budgeting
Help keeping track of expenses, paying bills on time, and building financial confidence.
Hanging out
Watching a movie, going to an event, playing games. The things roommates do.
What helps matches succeed
- Served by a California Regional Center
- The individual is excited about life-sharing for themselves, not because their family is
- Some kind of daily purpose: a job, day program, school, or regular activities
- Openness to sharing a home and building a genuine friendship
- A rockstar supportive roommate (we find one, or you might already know someone great)
- Patience with the process. Regional Center coordination takes time, and we won't rush the match
Approved by California Regional Centers, and funded through them
Most families pay nothing out of pocket. We'll walk through your situation on the intro call.
Real stories from real families
Hear from people who've been through the process
Common questions
How long does the process take?
Finding a match usually takes 2 to 6 weeks, depending on your family member's specific needs and preferred location. From your first call to move-in, plan on 1 to 3 months. We never rush the process. Finding the right match is more important than finding a quick one. The biggest factors are Regional Center processing time and finding the right roommate. You can sometimes speed things up by thinking about people in your life who might be a great roommate.
How does funding work?
Most families pay nothing out of pocket. Life-sharing services are funded through California Regional Centers. Every situation is a little different, so we'll walk through exactly how it works for you on the intro call.
How are roommates vetted?
Every supportive roommate passes identity verification, then FBI and DOJ background checks, including state court records and the National Sex Offender database. Then come reference checks and a personality and compatibility assessment. Training is finished before any match is made. Past the paperwork, we look for character and a real wish to support someone's independence. We'd rather wait than settle.
What if the match does not work out?
We stay in it. Every pair gets a Discovery Navigator who checks in regularly, and there is a support line staffed around the clock. When friction comes up we mediate first, because most of it is ordinary roommate friction. If a match genuinely is not right, we look for a new one. That is rare. It has happened several times, and it has gone well. A second match is easier than the first, because by then we know much more about what the person wants and needs.
Can we bring our own roommate?
Yes. Some of our best matches are people the individual already knows: a friend, neighbor, former staff member, or someone from school or church. If you have someone in mind, we can help evaluate the fit and get everything set up.
Do they need a job or day program?
It helps a lot. A job, day program, school, or regular activities all count. Having things to do during the day keeps the roommate relationship healthy.
How involved can our family be?
As involved as you want. Many families join meet-and-greets, help with the move, and stay in regular contact. Life-sharing is about independence, not isolation.
Dive deeper
What is life-sharing?
The full guide: where it came from, how it works, and how it's funded in California.
Read articleLife-sharing vs. group homes
A side-by-side comparison of the two.
Read articleCalifornia disability glossary
Plain-English definitions of SLS, IPP, IDD, ILS, and every acronym you'll hear from your Regional Center.
Read articleReady to take the first step?
Tell us about your situation and we'll talk through whether Homies is the right fit. No commitment.