Supporting Children, Youth, and Families in Greater Vancouver since 1990

Home Share Program

What is the Homeshare Program?

This Community Living BC program supports individuals over 19 years of age who have developmental, social or other challenges and would like to be placed with a full-time caregiver. 

Located throughout Metro Vancouver, Hollyburn’s Homeshare Providers are exceptional individuals who have made a lifestyle decision to welcome adult clients with disabilities into their homes and support them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential.

Homeshare models range from independent housing with supports, semi-independent living, independent living or full-time care-giving.

Our Homeshare Providers engage the client’s family members, friends and community partners to ensure the client’s success and well-being.  Clients living in our Homeshares have jobs or volunteer work, attend funded day programs or may be enrolled in college or other vocational institution. 

Are you interested in becoming a Homeshare Provider?

Benefits

Sharing your home with an individual with a developmental disability can be extremely rewarding because you are providing a safe and caring home and supporting the individual’s personal development, physical and emotional well-being.  At the same time, it is not entirely without its challenges. Most who provide this type of support agree that home sharing is more than a job. It is a lifestyle choice.

Commitment

Contract lengths are shaped to suit the preliminary needs of the supported individual. Most often, a long-term commitment is ideal for the individual being supported in order to create a sense of stability within their home and a feeling of security and inclusion within their community.  Through time, support levels may change as some clients can develop life skills that enable them to live more independently.

Screening

Placements are made through family-centered practice as directed by Community Living BC and placement decisions are screened through a strict set of guidelines and a series of interviews to ensure quality care. 

Qualifications

Homeshare Providers are expected to have previous experience working with individuals with developmental, social or other challenges. To be eligible to become a Homeshare Provider you must have the required qualifications:

  • Minimum of 19 years of age
  • Satisfactory home study
  • Satisfactory criminal record check
  • Satisfactory background check
  • First Aid / CPR certificate
  • Physician’s certification of good health
  • Valid driver’s license
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What our Homeshare Providers say:

“I find the pleasure in my client’s expression of happiness when things go well and the relief when I am able to successfully advocate for her. To see her grow mentally and physically and improve socially, these are the things which make home sharing worthwhile. Home sharing is a lot of work with attention to detail but the outcome has many positive rewards.” (A.S. – Homeshare Provider)

“Sometimes home sharing is like living with your own family and there is no difference. I have shared love, patience, joy and anxiety with my client just as I would with my on child. I have developed an excellent rapport with my client and no day is the same. I have stayed six hours at the ER with my client worried sick about her health. But such instances are what builds strong bonds. We are out and about every day engaging in some amazing pursuits from sightseeing around the city to volunteering at the local soup kitchen. We do everything together and during the weekend my client visits her relatives creating some down time for me. Home sharing is a home away from home and to be a home share provider is an incredible act of love and service.” (E.L. – Homeshare Provider)