# Homies - California's First Life-Sharing Program > https://meethomies.com > Last updated: August 2026 ## What Homies Does Homies matches adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) with compatible supportive roommates who share a real home together. Unlike group homes or shift-based caregiving, life-sharing creates genuine roommate relationships where support happens naturally through daily living. Homies is an official Supported Living Services (SLS) vendor with California Regional Centers. ## Key Statistics - 100+ successful matches since founding in 2020 - 95%+ match success rate - 5.0 Google rating with 46+ reviews - Serving 11 Regional Centers across Southern California - 24/7 support availability for all active matches ## Key Definitions - **Life-Sharing**: A supported living model where an adult with a disability shares a home with a carefully matched supportive roommate. The roommate provides daily support (cooking, transportation, social activities) while both people live as genuine roommates, not client and caregiver. - **Supportive Roommate**: A qualified adult who lives with a person with a disability, providing daily support in exchange for free housing plus a stipend. Supportive roommates are screened, trained, and supported by Homies. - **SLS (Supported Living Services)**: California Regional Center-funded services that help adults with developmental disabilities live independently in their own homes. SLS covers the cost of support services, not housing itself. - **IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities)**: Conditions originating before age 18 that affect intellectual functioning and/or adaptive behavior. Includes autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and related conditions. - **Regional Center**: One of 21 nonprofit agencies in California contracted by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to coordinate services for people with developmental disabilities. Regional Centers determine eligibility and fund services like SLS. - **IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services)**: A separate Medi-Cal-funded program for personal care tasks. Can be combined with SLS but serves a different function. ## Contact Information - Phone: (951) 291-8279 - Email: info@meethomies.com - Website: https://meethomies.com - App: https://app.meethomies.com ## Service Area Southern California, including San Diego County, Orange County, Los Angeles County (Westside, Central, East, South, North, Harbor/South Bay, San Gabriel Valley), Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, and San Luis Obispo County. --- ## Marketing Pages - / — Homepage. Overview of Homies, how life-sharing works, testimonials, and calls to action for families, supportive roommates, and service coordinators. - /regional-center-clients — For Regional Center clients seeking supportive roommates. Explains the process, what's included, and how to get started. - /supportive-roommates — Become a supportive roommate. Requirements, benefits (free housing + stipend), application process. - /families — For families exploring alternatives to group homes. Addresses parent concerns about safety, independence, and long-term planning. - /what-happens-when-im-gone — Succession planning guide for parents of adults with IDD: every California living option compared (group home, SLS, ILS, life-sharing, Self-Determination Program), special needs trusts, CalABLE, letters of intent, conservatorship alternatives, and a decade-by-decade planning timeline. - /self-determination-program — Family guide to California's Self-Determination Program (SDP): how it differs from traditional Regional Center services, what the individual budget can fund, six enrollment steps, the August 2026 AB 143 spending plan certification changes, and how life-sharing supports fit a spending plan. - /how-it-works — Step-by-step explanation of the matching process from inquiry through move-in. - /what-is-a-supportive-roommate — Educational guide defining the supportive roommate role, responsibilities, and what daily life looks like. - /supportive-roommate-program — Program details, requirements, compensation, and support structure for prospective supportive roommates. - /for-service-coordinators — Referral information for Regional Center service coordinators. How to refer clients, what Homies provides, vendored status. - /our-screening-process — Safety and screening process: background checks, interviews, home assessments, training requirements. - /faq — Frequently asked questions about life-sharing, SLS funding, eligibility, costs, and the matching process. - /success-stories — Collection of real match stories with photos and videos. - /exceptional-minds — Partnership with Exceptional Minds, an animation studio and academy for adults with autism. Housing support for students and graduates. - /our-promise — Homies' commitments to families, clients, and supportive roommates. - /careers — Job openings and career opportunities at Homies. - /contact-us — Contact form, phone, email, and office information. - /updates — Blog index with all articles, success stories, and educational content. - /support — Support resources and help documentation. - /site-map — Full site directory. - /privacy-policy — Privacy policy. - /terms-of-service — Terms of service. --- ## Regional Center Landing Pages (11 Regions) Each page explains life-sharing as a group home alternative in that region, with local city references and Regional Center-specific information. - /san-diego-regional-center — San Diego Regional Center (SDRC). Serves San Diego County and Imperial County. Cities: San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, El Cajon. - /orange-county-regional-center — Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC). Serves Orange County. Cities: Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange. - /inland-regional-center — Inland Regional Center (IRC). Serves Riverside County and San Bernardino County. Cities: Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga. - /westside-regional-center — Westside Regional Center (WRC). Serves Los Angeles County (Westside). Cities: Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, Culver City, Mar Vista. - /lanterman-regional-center — Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center (LRC). Serves Los Angeles County (Central/East). Cities: Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Altadena, Eagle Rock. - /south-central-la-regional-center — South Central Los Angeles Regional Center (SCLARC). Serves Los Angeles County (South Central). Cities: South Los Angeles, Compton, Lynwood, Watts, Florence, Willowbrook. - /san-gabriel-pomona-regional-center — San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center (SGPRC). Serves Los Angeles County (San Gabriel Valley). Cities: Pomona, West Covina, Covina, Azusa, Glendora, Diamond Bar. - /eastern-la-regional-center — Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center (ELARC). Serves Los Angeles County (East LA). Cities: East Los Angeles, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Whittier, La Mirada, Norwalk. - /harbor-regional-center — Harbor Regional Center (HRC). Serves Los Angeles County (Harbor/South Bay). Cities: Long Beach, Torrance, Carson, Lakewood, Redondo Beach, San Pedro. - /north-la-county-regional-center — North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC). Serves Los Angeles County (North). Cities: Lancaster, Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Valencia, Newhall, Saugus. - /tri-counties-regional-center — Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC). Serves Ventura County and Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County. Cities: Ventura, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo. --- ## Key Blog Posts by Topic All blog posts live under /updates/{slug}. ### Understanding Life-Sharing and SLS - /updates/what-is-life-sharing — Life-sharing is a supported living model where an adult with IDD shares a home with a carefully matched roommate — an alternative to group homes in California. - /updates/what-is-supported-living-services-california — Supported Living Services is how California funds independent living for adults with IDD. How SLS works, who qualifies, and how to start through your RC. - /updates/sls-vs-group-homes — Choosing between Supported Living Services and a group home is one of the biggest decisions families face. An honest side-by-side look at both options. - /updates/sls-vs-ihss-california — SLS and IHSS both fund support for California adults with disabilities, but work differently. What families need to know — and how they work together. - /updates/faq-sls — Every question families ask about California Supported Living Services — eligibility, funding, hours, providers, IPP paperwork, and how life-sharing fits in. ### Family Planning and Decision-Making - /updates/future-planning-for-disabled-adult-child — Every parent of an adult with a disability has asked this question. Life-sharing offers a long-term answer that doesn't depend on you being there forever. - /updates/regional-center-services-family-guide — How California's Regional Center system funds housing and Supported Living Services (SLS) for adults with IDD: eligibility, the IPP process, how to request services, and a side-by-side look at every living option families can choose from, including life-sharing. - /updates/regional-center-housing-california — Your Regional Center doesn't provide housing directly — it funds the services that make housing possible. How the system actually works and what to ask for. - /updates/housing-for-adults-with-disabilities-california — California has more housing options for adults with disabilities than families realize. Group homes, supported living, life-sharing — what's available. - /updates/prepare-adult-child-independent-living — A California parent's guide to helping an adult child with autism or IDD live independently — without a group home. Comparing SLS, ILS, and life-sharing. - /updates/independent-living-skills-checklist — The complete independent living skills checklist for adults with disabilities: 60+ skills in 8 categories, a 1–4 self-assessment, and how to fill the gaps. - /updates/autism-housing-grants-california — Most 'autism housing grants' don't exist the way families hope. Here's the funding that actually pays for housing and support in California — and how to get it. ### Disability-Specific Housing Guides - /updates/autism-housing-programs-california — Over 80,000 Californians with IDD are waiting for housing. The autism housing programs available now and how to access them through Regional Center. - /updates/life-sharing-for-adults-with-autism — Life-sharing offers adults with autism a personalized alternative to group homes — matching on sensory needs and social comfort. What families should know. - /updates/cerebral-palsy-housing-california — Housing for an adult with cerebral palsy means navigating accessibility, affordability, and autonomy. How California families solve it through life-sharing. - /updates/down-syndrome-housing-california — Adults with Down syndrome deserve housing that grows with them. Life-sharing offers independence with a compatible roommate — RC funded, free for families. - /updates/life-sharing-for-adults-with-intellectual-disabilities — Life-sharing is a supported living model where adults with intellectual disabilities share a home with a matched roommate. How it works, funding, expectations. ### Success Stories - /updates/stevenson-success-story — Stevenson went from a group home to his own apartment with a supportive roommate. Surfing in San Diego, holidays, and how life-sharing changed everything. - /updates/jake-devin-story — How a former group home worker and a young man ready for independence found each other through Homies. - /updates/jordan-nicole-story — When Nicole needed 24/7 support after her mom could no longer be her caregiver, Jordan moved across the country to become her supportive roommate. - /updates/coaching-to-roommates-eddy-and-roberts-story — Eddy and Robert met 15 years ago through Special Olympics. When Robert joined Homies, Eddy became his supportive roommate — friendship into a shared home. - /updates/liam-and-andrew-a-homies-success-story — Meet Liam, a neurodiverse adult on the autism spectrum who lived with his parents in Southern California feeling lonely — before he found Homies. - /updates/rafaels-independent-living — Rafael moved from Texas to LA for his animation career at Exceptional Minds. Finding stable housing nearly ended that dream — until Homies stepped in. - /updates/independent-living-after-college-disabilities — What happens after your adult child with a disability graduates a transition program? Cole's journey from Fresno State Wayfinders to independence in San Diego. - /updates/housing-success-story — Stefan, an Exceptional Minds student, got the keys to his dream 2-bedroom in SoCal. After 20+ apartment rejections, this approval took less than 3 days. - /updates/disability-roommate-matching — Eddie got into Exceptional Minds' animation program in Sherman Oaks but attended from his parents' OC home — until Homies matched him with a roommate. ### Supportive Roommate Role - /updates/supportive-roommate-program — Loneliness and isolation are common for adults with developmental disabilities. Supportive roommates transform lives through friendship and daily routines. - /updates/supportive-roommates-for-adults-with-disabilities — How supportive roommate matching works for adults with disabilities — compatibility-first pairing, the screening and safety process that protects everyone, and how it's funded through California Regional Centers. - /updates/navigating-work-life-with-homies — Meet Ablah, one of our Homies team members. Her story of finding independence, stability, and the rewarding journey of building a life with the right support. - /updates/live-in-caregiver-barbara — Looking for a live-in caregiver opportunity in Glendale, CA? Meet Barbara, a lively 72-year-old retiree seeking a female roommate aged 50+ through Homies. ### Regional Center Guides - /updates/regional-center-housing-california — Your Regional Center doesn't provide housing directly — it funds the services that make housing possible. How the system actually works and what to ask for. - /updates/sls-vs-group-homes — Choosing between Supported Living Services and a group home is one of the biggest decisions families face. An honest side-by-side look at both options. ### Spanish Language Content - /updates/discapacidades — En Los Ángeles, la vivienda asistida es un recurso clave para adultos con discapacidades que buscan vivir de manera independiente con el apoyo necesario. - /updates/vivienda-independiente — Los Ángeles ofrece oportunidades para adultos con discapacidades que buscan vivir de manera independiente. Cómo navegar el proceso de transición con apoyo. - /updates/centro-regional-pomona — El Centro Regional Pomona es un recurso clave para personas con discapacidades del desarrollo en el Valle de Pomona. Red de centros regionales de California. ### Other - /updates/nicholas-and-ben-a-homies-success-story — Nicholas searched for the right roommate for three years. Two matches came and went before he found the one — a friend who'd been in his life the whole time. - /updates/molli-and-mia-a-homies-success-story — At 25, Molli had only ever lived in her parents' home. Homies matched her with Mia — a supportive roommate, friend first — and Molli started running her own life. - /updates/extended-foster-care-disability-california — Extended Foster Care ends at age 21. For youth with IDD, that day means caseworker, housing stipend, and services gone. Here's what comes next. - /updates/abby-katie-22-years-just-a-mom — For 22 years, Gina was Abby's caretaker, best friend, and mom. Then Homies matched Abby with Katie, and Gina finally gets to be just a mom. - /updates/from-the-palisades-fire-to-a-fresh-start-in-santa-monica-ethan-and-deans-story — When the Palisades Fire displaced Ethan's family, he lost his home and routine. Homies matched him with Dean in Santa Monica, and Ethan got his footing back. - /updates/independent-living-with-down-syndrome — Can adults with Down syndrome live independently? The question is what support they need. Life-sharing is the path between group homes and going alone. - /updates/supported-living-for-adults-with-cerebral-palsy — Adults with cerebral palsy deserve housing that fits their lives. Supported living and life-sharing offer a flexible, community-based alternative. - /updates/regional-center-roommate-in-burbank — Meet a remarkable Regional Center roommate in Burbank. The right living arrangement for an adult with IDD is about more than safety — it's about empowerment. - /updates/supported-living-in-san-gabriel — Everyone deserves dignity, connection, and choice. Rocky's story shows how supported living in San Gabriel transforms life for adults with IDD. - /updates/supportive-roommate-in-los-angeles — The right roommate is life-changing — one with compassion, structure, and real-world experience. Meet Noah, one of our supportive roommates in Los Angeles. - /updates/homies-roommate-matching — What happens when two people navigating life's toughest challenges share a home? Michael, a Special Olympics athlete, found stability and joy through Homies. - /updates/princeton-grad — When Beth graduated from Princeton, she could have taken many paths. Instead, she became a supportive roommate through Homies — and built a life of purpose. - /updates/roommate-in-pomona — Meet Darius, a Homies match in Pomona who shares a love for adventure, good food, and great conversations with his supportive roommate. - /updates/pacific-beach — Searching for a roommate in Pacific Beach who brings positivity, connection, and joy? Meet a Homies match sharing life by the beach with a supportive roommate. - /updates/roommate-in-north-county-san-diego — Malia is a 29-year-old introverted extrovert looking for the perfect roommate in North County San Diego — Encinitas, Solana Beach, and nearby beach towns. - /updates/mexico-homies — Carlos and Eric, two brothers from Mexico, went from a small trailer to a two-bedroom home — now supporting themselves and sending money home to Tijuana. - /updates/aspergers-dating — Dating as an adult with Asperger's or autism is hard — sensory overload, unclear scripts, unpredictability. What helps, and why stable housing matters more. - /updates/homies-success-story — Jordan moved from her family home to a beachside apartment with Jesi, her supportive roommate. They've traveled, gone to the OC Fair, and built a real life. - /updates/autism-residential-programs — Comparing autism residential programs for adults — group homes, ARFs, supported living, and life-sharing. Real costs, real trade-offs, and how to choose. - /updates/finding-the-perfect-roommate — At Homies, we empower neurodiverse adults to live independently. Kohl's journey shows how the right support system and living arrangement transform daily life. - /updates/inspiring-weekend-at-special-olympics — Last weekend, Homies joined the Special Olympics Southern California event and met the individuals who inspire us every day. Stories from a meaningful weekend. - /updates/loneliness-and-the-power-of-connection-homies-mission — Loneliness is a significant issue that affects millions of people worldwide, and those with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to its effects. - /updates/welcome-to-homies-a-community-that-embraces-empowers-and-connects — Hello and welcome to Homies, the official blog for our disability life-sharing program based in California. We are thrilled to have you here.