For Regional Center clients
A home of their own, with a roommate who cares.
Homies matches your loved one with a vetted, background-checked supportive roommate in an apartment of their own. Not a group home. You help choose the person, and you stay involved.
- 95%+ match success
- 100+ matches across California
- FBI and DOJ background checks
- 24/7 support after move-in
Request a free call
Tell us who this is for. Someone from our team will call you within 1 to 2 business days.
What life-sharing is
What is life-sharing?
Life-sharing means your loved one shares a home with one carefully matched supportive roommate. The roommate helps with daily life and treats them as an equal in the household.
It is different from a group home. Your loved one has more independence, more privacy, and a real neighborhood. They decide how their day goes, keep up their interests, and make real friends.
- A real home in a real neighborhood
- One roommate, not rotating staff
- Their own choices about daily routines
- Part of the local community
Stories of connection
Meet some of the people who found a home and a friend through life-sharing
Your peace of mind
Checked before they ever meet your loved one
Every supportive roommate passes FBI and DOJ background checks and a National Sex Offender registry check. They complete required training and several interviews before we introduce them to anyone.
After move-in, our team checks in regularly and is available day or night. If something is not right, we hear about it early and act on it.
- FBI and DOJ background checks
- National Sex Offender registry check
- Reference checks and in-depth interviews
- Required training before any match
- Regular check-ins and 24/7 availability after move-in
How it works
Five steps from a first call to move-in. We never rush the match.
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.
Questions from families
What parents ask us first about life-sharing
What is life-sharing?
Life-sharing is a supported living arrangement. Your loved one shares a home with one carefully matched supportive roommate. It is an alternative to a group home, with more independence, one-on-one support, and a real neighborhood.
Who is eligible for life-sharing through Homies?
Homies serves Regional Center clients: adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who receive services through a California Regional Center. Your service coordinator confirms eligibility and sends us a referral.
How are supportive roommates screened?
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.
Can we choose the supportive roommate?
Yes. You and your loved one choose. We make the introductions and encourage several meetings before anyone commits.
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.
How long does it take to find a match?
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.
How much does life-sharing cost?
For most families, the support costs nothing out of pocket. Your Regional Center funds it through Supported Living Services (SLS). Rent is separate. We aim for a 50/50 rent split. In practice it usually lands closer to 60/40, with the supportive roommate paying the larger share. We go over the exact numbers for your situation on a call.
Learn more
What Is Life-Sharing?
The full guide to life-sharing: how it works, who it's for, and how it compares to other Regional Center housing options.
Read articleLife-Sharing vs. Group Homes
Side-by-side comparison so you can decide what's right for your family.
Read articleHousing for Autistic Adults in California
Sensory-friendly options and how to find a roommate match that works for autistic adults.
Read articleIndependent Living Skills Checklist
60+ skills with a 1 to 4 self-assessment. Use it to prepare for the transition or build an SLS plan with your service coordinator.
Read articleLet's talk about your loved one's needs
Call us or request a call, and a real person walks you through how life-sharing works.