# Homies - California's First Life-Sharing Program (Full Reference) > Last updated: March 2026 > Summary version: https://www.meethomies.com/llms.txt ## About Homies Homies is California's first life-sharing program, founded in 2020. We connect adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to compatible supportive roommates who share a real home together in the community. Unlike group homes with rotating staff, life-sharing pairs one person with one roommate in a genuine living partnership built on friendship, shared routines, and mutual respect. Every roommate is screened through FBI background checks, personality assessments, and comprehensive training. With more than 100 successful matches, a 95%+ match success rate, and a 5.0 Google rating, Homies is an official Supported Living Services vendor funded through California Regional Centers. Most families pay nothing out of pocket for support services. ## Key Statistics - Founded: 2020 - Successful matches: 100+ - Match success rate: 95%+ (only ~2 matches ever dissolved) - Google rating: 5.0 with 46+ reviews - Regional Centers served: 10+ across Southern California - Support availability: 24/7 for all active matches - Languages: English and Spanish ## What Is Life-Sharing? Life-sharing is a supported living arrangement where an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability is matched with a compatible supportive roommate. The two share a real home together in the community. It is recognized as both a personal relationship and a residence. Life-sharers and individuals are carefully matched by qualified professionals, with birth families encouraged to participate in matching and maintain relationships. Life-sharing is fundamentally different from group homes. In a group home, multiple residents live together with rotating paid staff who work shifts. In life-sharing, one person lives with one roommate in a genuine partnership. The roommate is not working a shift — they live there, share meals, go grocery shopping, and build a real friendship over time. ## What Is a Supportive Roommate? A Supportive Roommate is fundamentally different from a traditional caregiver. A caregiver clocks in, completes tasks, and leaves. A Supportive Roommate shares your home, your meals, and your daily life. It is a genuine roommate relationship where support happens naturally through living together. Supportive Roommates are not there to "take care of you" — they are there to share life with you, while providing the specific supports outlined in your service plan. Supportive Roommates have their own daytime jobs, are emotionally mature, and see life-sharing as a calling, not a gig. They earn tax-free income funded through California Regional Centers. ## How It Works 1. Intro Call: Learn about Homies, ask questions, and see if it is a fit. No commitment, just a real conversation. 2. Assessment and Regional Center Referral: Your service coordinator sends a referral and our team completes a detailed intake to understand your loved one. 3. Roommate Matching: We find a roommate matched on personality, lifestyle, and interests — not just availability. You can also bring someone you already know. 4. Move-In and Ongoing Support: Your loved one and their roommate find a home together. After move-in, we provide regular check-ins, 24/7 availability, and continuous support. ## Screening Process Every supportive roommate goes through a rigorous five-step screening process: 1. Application and Identity Verification: Full legal name, phone, and address verification. 2. Background Checks: FBI fingerprint check, DOJ clearance, state criminal court records, and the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender database. 3. Reference and Experience Review: Personal and professional references checked for caregiving experience, emotional maturity, and genuine motivation. 4. Personality and Compatibility Assessment: Lifestyle, values, communication style, and living habits assessed for strong matches. 5. Training and Certification: Comprehensive training covering disability awareness, communication strategies, emergency procedures, and best practices. After matching, every pair gets a dedicated program manager who conducts monthly check-ins, plus access to a 24/7 support line. ## Funding and Cost Life-sharing through Homies is funded through California Regional Centers under Supported Living Services (SLS). Most families pay nothing out of pocket for support services. Clients are responsible for their own living expenses like rent and utilities, which many cover using social security or disability benefits. Homies does not provide housing directly but helps both parties find housing. Homies does not get involved in leasing or rental agreements. ## SLS vs IHSS SLS (Supported Living Services) and IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) are two different California programs that can work together: - SLS is funded by Regional Center, designed for individuals with IDD, focused on independence and skill-building, and includes roommate matching and overnight support. - IHSS is funded by Medi-Cal, available to anyone who qualifies, focused on specific personal care tasks, and allows family members to be paid providers. Many families use both programs together. SLS covers the roommate and skill-building while IHSS covers specific care tasks. ## Eligibility To participate in life-sharing through Homies, individuals must: - Be 18 years or older - Be an active client of a California Regional Center - Have no aggressive behaviors toward others and no active elopement risk - Have no suicidal ideation or threat of potential self-harm - Be able to be left alone for a few hours while their roommate is away - Be willing to share a living space - Have family or conservator support for the program - Have their service coordinator or independent facilitator aware of the arrangement ## Service Area Homies primarily serves Southern California, including: - San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) - Inland Regional Center (IRC) — Riverside and San Bernardino - Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC) - Westside Regional Center (WRC) — West Los Angeles - Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center (LRC) — Burbank, Glendale - San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center (SGPRC) - Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center (ELARC) - South Central Los Angeles Regional Center (SCLARC) - North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) - Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC) — Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - Harbor Regional Center (HRC) ## Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is life-sharing? A: Life-sharing is a supported living arrangement where an adult with a disability shares a home with a carefully matched supportive roommate. The roommate lives with them, supports their daily goals, and becomes a genuine friend. It is an alternative to group homes that provides more independence, privacy, and choice. Q: How is Homies different from a group home? A: Homies pairs you with a carefully matched supportive roommate in a regular home, not an institution. You share life instead of living under shift-style staff. You stay independent, choose your schedule, and receive personalized SLS supports. Q: How much does it cost? A: There are no additional costs or fees for using Homies' services. Life-sharing is funded through California Regional Centers. Clients are responsible for living expenses like rent and utilities. Q: How is Homies funded? A: Through California Regional Centers. Homies is a Supported Living Services (SLS) vendor. Q: How are roommates screened? A: Every potential roommate goes through FBI fingerprint checks, DOJ clearance, state criminal court records, the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender database, reference verification, personality assessments, and comprehensive training before being matched. Q: What if the match does not work out? A: Homies addresses concerns immediately. Program managers conduct monthly check-ins and are available 24/7. If a match is not working despite mediation, Homies helps transition to a new roommate while ensuring continuity of care. This is rare — the match success rate is over 95%. Q: Can I bring my own roommate? A: Yes. Some of the best matches are people the individual already knows: a friend, neighbor, former staff member, or someone from school or church. Homies can help evaluate the fit and get everything set up. Q: Which areas does Homies serve? A: Primarily Southern California, covering 10+ Regional Centers including San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, and Tri-Counties. Q: Does Homies support Spanish-speaking families? A: Yes. The team includes bilingual staff, and forms, communication, and support services are accessible in Spanish. Q: Can family members be involved? A: Yes. Families are encouraged to participate in matching, meet potential roommates, and stay involved throughout the relationship. Life-sharing is about independence, not isolation. Q: Will Homies provide housing? A: Homies does not provide housing but helps both parties find suitable housing. Homies does not get involved in leasing or rental agreements. ## Contact Information - Phone: (951) 291-8279 - Email: info@meethomies.com - Website: https://www.meethomies.com - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meethomies - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meethomies - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/meethomies - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@meethomies