| Issue #39, December 22, 2006 |
A Smart Idea For Housing
An Atlanta Firm Thinks The North Fork Has Good Roomies
By TJ Clemente
With Christmas trees and lights abound and the high spirits of the season building up to its yearly crescendo, being home for the holidays is a mantra of many.
There are many issues to deal with as one ages living out on the North Fork of Long Island. Sometimes it becomes impossible to do the chores and responsibilities it takes to maintain a household. The usual choices have been either to sell the home and move into a nursing home or perhaps move in with one of your children.
But a businessman and a realist have come up with a creative idea so that moving out of your home is not something that becomes a necessity. He has created a new option for North Forkers that is simple, reasonable and a win/win for everyone. In Greenport recently, a presentation was made by an entity known as HomeShare Long Island. Its founders Paul Arfin and Robin Berger-Gaston shared their thoughts. The presentation was to propose the creation of a program to offer another solution to the problem of single elderly people trying to hold on to their homes despite the problems beyond economics and to also help young folks save a little extra money.
Using a program in Atlanta, Georgia as its model, HomeShare is proposing the idea of carefully screened roommates paying affordable rents to live in the elderly households and being required to perform prearranged contracted services such as gardening, kitchen cleanups or perhaps driving the elderly to doctor appointments or for groceries. According to Mr. Arfin the screening process is very precise and to date the program has not had a single lawsuit. Mr. Arfin has reportedly claimed that it is necessary to screen six applicants to find a good match. Police records, financial record checks and references make up the background check. Then, before some sort of written contract is written, Mr. Arfin encourages the two parties to meet several times to make sure it will be a good, comfortable fit. “Long Island needs a program like this.” Mr. Arfin reportedly said and the town of Greenport agrees except when it comes to paying for it.
With a startup fee of $50.00 and an added joint fee of $150 from each side after placement, the charges do not cover the total cost when you include a part time town official, paid about $20,000 per year. This town official will be needed according to Greenport Mayor Dave Kapell, who stressed that the town just does not have the revenues with its very tight budget. He reportedly asked Village Administrator David Abatelli to go to Southold Town officials and see if it is possible to work through the Family Service League and Intergenerational Strategies to get a pilot program started and launched for the Village of Greenport.
If this can be achieved, Robin Berger-Gaston thinks it will be a win/win. Seniors will get needed help and others (the renters) will be able to find affordable housing with a target rent of about $400 per month. The rent money will be newfound money for the seniors who always can use some extra income to battle the rising cost of maintaining a home in Greenport. The ability to not be alone and stay at home is a nice ability to have in these times.
In Atlanta there have been 700 successful pairings without problems so everyone involved is hoping that somehow the project can get started. It is impossible to measure the life experience of helping another, whether it is to find affordable housing by renting a quality room or be it helping a senior from whom you are renting a room. But in this season of helping and good cheer to all, it is nice to know that there are options being proposed for seniors so that they can safely stay in their homes instead of having to choose a nursing home or a relative to spend the golden years with.
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