- Christine Rahman, a 28-year-old woman, joined a Homeshare program in London.
- She rents a room in Margaret Smith’s house for approximately $180 per month.
- In exchange, she assists 83-year-old Smith with daily household tasks.
In the summer of 2022, Christine Rahman quit her job in London and was relying on her savings to get by.
She needed an affordable place to rent, but finding something within her budget in the city was a challenge.
While browsing room rental advertisements, Rahman came across a homeshare opportunity that caught her attention.
“It was incredibly affordable, and the room looked great,” Rahman shared. “As I read more details, I discovered
that the person I would be sharing with was a former prison service psychologist. With my own interest in
psychology, I found the idea fascinating. The advert also mentioned that she spoke fluent French, which excited
me as I come from a French-speaking background. I was sold!”
Homeshare programs involve bringing together two individuals, often from different generations, to live under the
same roof. These arrangements address the needs of older or disabled individuals while providing affordable
housing options to those seeking a place to live.
The sharer pays low rent and assists the householder with tasks
For a daily rent of just over $6, a sharer agrees to dedicate 15 hours per week to assisting and supporting the
householder with tasks such as cooking, gardening, or simply being available for conversation.
Rahman found the advertisement for homesharing on the Share and Care Homeshare website, which ultimately connected
her with Margaret Smith. Smith is an 83-year-old woman living with Parkinson’s disease and registered blindness.
“My daughter told me about homeshare, and we thought it would be beneficial to have someone else in the house,”
Smith explained. “Living alone can be quite challenging.”
Upon meeting Smith for the first time, Rahman was immediately struck by the abundance of books, artwork, and
ornaments in the house. “She was eloquent and friendly,” Rahman described. “I also got to meet her daughter, who
reminded me of my own mother.”
Rahman moved in, excited for the new adventure that would also save her a significant amount of money on housing
expenses.
They have become like family
While Rahman helps Smith with various tasks around the house like cooking and finding misplaced items, she is not
a paid caregiver. Smith receives support from professional caregivers throughout the day. Instead, Rahman has
become an integral part of Smith’s family.
“Margaret and her family have treated me like one of their own,” Rahman shared. “She has invited my mom over for
dinner, and we even organized a ‘French evening’ where we only spoke French. My younger sister is free to visit
me as often as she wants. Margaret’s daughter even had an extra ticket to a theater show and took my sister
along.”
Every morning, Rahman prepares tea and breakfast for herself and Smith before starting her day. If she is working
from home, she takes breaks to check in on Smith and occasionally prepares lunch for them to share.
In the evenings, Rahman often prepares adventurous meals for both of them. “I have introduced her to dishes like
roasted butternut squash, oxtail, and okra,” Rahman said, highlighting their shared love for food and their
bonding over different recipes. Rahman has also started reading poetry to Smith.
Instead of spending her days alone, Smith enjoys meaningful conversations with Rahman about relationships, politics,
and psychology. “It keeps my mind active,” Smith remarked. “We also have a lot of fun together. She introduced
me to TV shows I would have never discovered on my own. Sometimes, we even watch the French news together.”
A mutually beneficial arrangement
Although Rahman’s friends envy the amount of money she is saving, they are hesitant to try homesharing themselves
due to the time commitment required. “Being involved in a homeshare requires organization,” Rahman explained.
“If I plan to go out, I make sure to prep a meal for Margaret so that there’s dinner ready whenever she is
hungry.”
Living with Smith, Rahman has enjoyed establishing her own routines while assisting Smith with hers. Taking care
of Smith is not a burden for Rahman, but an opportunity to experience what it might have been like to know her
own grandparents. Rahman also values the perspective Smith offers as someone who has lived a full life. “Talking
with her brings things into perspective and helps me understand what truly matters,” Rahman reflected.
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