Generally, the screening process takes about a month from submission of application to notice of decision. Once a host is approved, HPC is required to inform Barnstable County of an open bed. The county provides a list of eligible young adults to HPC. This step may unintentionally slow down the placement process. Approved Hosts should expect the matching process to take an additional 1-2 months.

The length of stay for young adults in a host home is very flexible. HPC asks that hosts agree to a period of 12 months given the current housing crisis and extensive waitlists for housing on the Cape & Islands. HPC also welcomes volunteer respite hosts to host young adults for shorter periods of time in cases of emergency.

Yes, all adults over the age of 18 who live in your household or stay frequently for extended periods of time must complete a background check (CORI). A positive CORI does not necessarily disqualify an applicant from becoming a host.

Yes, hosts are required to complete a one-day orientation training at HPC’s office in Orleans. Remote accommodation may be provided for those unable to travel to Orleans. Hosts are encouraged to take advantage of ongoing training sessions and educational opportunities as they arise.

Hosts have the option to opt in for a monthly monetary stipend designed to offset the cost of adding an additional member to their household. The amount of the monthly stipend is subject to change based on program funding sources and is currently $1,000 per month before taxes. To receive the monthly stipend, hosts must complete a W2 tax form for which they are responsible. Please be aware that all hosts receiving stipends will receive a 1099 tax form. Hosts receive their stipends in the first week of each month that a young adult is living with them via direct deposit or a physical check.

• Hosts are expected to provide a welcoming and stable living environment for the young adult participants staying with them  • Hosts are expected to respect the rights, privacy, culture, and background of participants, including their religious and political beliefs   • Hosts are not to engage in any relationships of sexual or romantic nature with their participants or display behaviors that may be misleading or confusing   • Hosts should act as a model of the behaviors we ask participants to display (for example, being aware of their own substance use)

HPC works diligently to ensure that matches between hosts and young adult participants are made based on aligned values, interests, and lifestyles. Our aim is to create pairings that are mutually beneficial for both the hosts and participants. The matching process will include the following steps:    • As part of the application process, the host will create a letter for potential participants to view, and a host profile will be created, including photos or footage of their home and information about the hosts’ lives and their neighborhood (i.e., hobbies, pets, routines).    • HPC staff will discuss host applicants with the young adult participants and contact potential hosts to see if they are interested in exploring the match.    • HPC staff will facilitate in-person meetings between the young adult and potential host. After these visits, the young adult will decide if they would like to move forward with the match. Matches are mutual; both the young adult participant and the host have the option to not select the match after the meeting.     • Once a match is made, HPC staff will facilitate the creation of a housing agreement between the host and participant. This agreement will outline the guidelines that both parties create and agree to follow while living together.

HPC is committed to the success of the host-participant relationship. HPC staff has designed a program that will enable host-participant relationships to be positive. The first two weeks of the host-participant pairing will serve as a “welcoming period” in which both parties will have the opportunity to adjust to their new situation and explore the match. At the end of these two weeks, HPC staff will meet with the host and participant to ensure that it still feels like a good fit and there is mutual desire to continue.  After this period, If conflict does arise, HPC asks that hosts and participants engage in a direct and respectful dialogue to come to a resolution. In the case that the match cannot continue, HPC will work to place a participant in a new host home. Given that Hosts and young adults are entering into the Host Homes Program on a voluntary basis, any party may end their participation at any time.

Participants should feel welcome and comfortable in the host home, and that includes being able to have friends, family, or significant others come to visit. Prior to moving in, the young adult and host meet with HPC staff to complete a household expectations and agreements document. In completing this document, hosts can outline rules and boundaries regarding guests such as frequency, where in the home guests are allowed, and whether overnight guests are allowed.

HPC understands that the temporary absence of a host may occur while a young adult participant is staying in their home. In completing the Household Agreements, hosts and participants will come to a mutual agreement around a housing plan for participants when hosts are out of town. If a host is leaving for an extended period of time, HPC asks that the Hosts notify them as soon as they know.

Young Adults are expected to meet their own set of eligibility guidelines and participate in a screening process to ensure the program is a right fit for them. Click here (hpccapecod.org/hhp-young-adult-requirements)to see the expectations and supports provided to the young adults you may host!