As seasonal and mostly rural communities, the Cape and Islands feel the effects of the housing crisis acutely. HPC, in partnership with Barnstable County and HUD, has implemented a Host Homes Program as one unique and creative tool to help create more housing. This program pairs young people aged 18-24 experiencing housing instability with community members who have underutilized space in their homes. HPC’s Host Homes Coordinator matches each young adult with a host, based on living style compatibility, for a stay of up to 12+ months. Many stays are extended to meet individual needs due to the extensive waitlists for housing on the Cape and Islands.
Young adult participants gain access to short-term shelter in the host home while building meaningful connections with their supportive host(s). The host home serves as a steppingstone, allowing young adults to save up their income while safely engaging in their search for long-term housing. Each participant works closely with an HPC Case Manager to focus not only on future housing, but also on academic, employment, budgeting, and other individualized goals. This support helps young adults on their pathway to independence and success.
There are many unknowns when it comes to hosting a young adult. It requires trust, hope, vulnerability, commitment, communication, healthy boundaries, and flexibility.
Although hosts are not required to provide any support aside from stable housing, many hosts choose to help young adults develop practical and emotional skills needed to live independently, such as budgeting or cooking for oneself. Other hosts may simply provide safe housing and hold space for young adults by offering a listening ear.
Though hugely underutilized, the host homes model has been successful across the United States, Canada, and the UK. HPC works with partner programs to ensure that we adhere to the best and most up to date practices.
Juventude e Apoio a Jovens Adultos
Testimonials
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– Jane Doe, host
Click the video to watch host Jane Doe and participant John Doe share their Host Homes story.
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Become a Host
Host the future of Cape Cod and the Islands! Is Hosting the Right Fit for You?
Hosting a young adult can sometimes be as challenging as it is fulfilling. It can be a transformational experience for young adults and hosts alike but requires a deep commitment to relationship and trust building. Becoming a host is a leap of faith, and we recognize that it's not for everyone. We find that community members who align with HPC’s values are a good fit for the host homes program.
Hosts come from all walks of life. They can be single, coupled, retired, widowed, a family with kids, renters, or homeowners. Hosts simply must have lived in their current residence on the Cape or Islands for at least one year.
Learn more about the Host Homes Program by clicking here or contact Mallorey Quarles, Host Homes Coordinator at (774)561-2430 or hosthomes@hpccapecod.org. If you're not able to host a young adult at this time, there are many other ways to get involved with HPC.
Host Requirements
HPC asks that hosts:
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Live on Cape Cod or the Islands
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Commit to hosting a young adult for an agreed upon period of time
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Provide a bedroom or private space in their home with access to a shared or private bathroom and kitchen where the young adult can prepare meals and store food
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Complete an application, two interviews, background check (CORI), and home inspection
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Provide three character references
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Provide proof of homeowners or renters insurance
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Participate in host orientation training and ongoing training opportunities as they arise
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Attend monthly check-ins with HPC staff
HPC is committed to providing the following supports to hosts:
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Hosts in need of financial support to offset the cost of adding an additional person to their household can opt in to receive a taxable, monetary monthly stipend.
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Hosts are required to participate in monthly check-ins with HPC’s Host Homes Coordinator. These check-ins are host-lead and individualized to best support each respective host’s needs.
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Access will be provided to additional training sessions and educational opportunities as and when needed.
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Hosts are welcome to attend optional host peer group meetings to share experiences and discuss questions or concerns in a safe space with other hosts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Values
HPC’s Host Homes Program is committed to being youth-led and remaining informed by a philosophy of solidarity, not charity. We believe that communities thrive when they share resources and support each other. A vibrant Cape Cod is one that welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds, creeds, and income levels.
There are many unknowns when it comes to hosting and building community with young people. It requires trust, hope, self-reflection, vulnerability, commitment, communication, healthy boundaries, and flexibility. We recruit, train, and support people willing to share their homes and care for their fellow community members.
Impact on Young People
Young adults living on Cape Cod and the Islands face housing and employment difficulties that previous generations could not fathom. The housing inventory and affordability crisis impact young adults greatly regarding the cost of rent and societal challenges like ageism, discrimination, and pre-judgement based on lack of established credit, or belief in stereotypes that young folks do not make good renters.
The reality is that the young people of the Cape and Islands are brimming with potential but need extra community support and creative housing solutions. The host homes program increases youth participation in finishing high school, pursuing higher education or vocational training, and securing employment.
Host homes also help young people to build healthy relationships with others in the community, like the hosts involved within the program, and improves confidence and self-esteem which leads to increased positive participation in the wider society.
Case Managers follow a youth-led, individualized approach to help young adults pursue their goals and set them up for success. The host homes program is a community housing solution. Through community building, we strive to foster growth in the future generation leaders, thinkers, artists, first responders, business owners, and more of the Cape and Islands.