Category Archives: Transitional Living

Our Beginner’s Guide to Finding the Right Housemate

Boarding Homes, Group Homes, Halfway Homes, Shared Housing, Sober Living, Standard Post, Transitional Living

Shared housing can be a great option if you’re looking for affordable and flexible housing solutions. Despite how conveniently shared housing is, it doesn’t come without its own unique challenges. One of the most difficult things about shared housing is finding the right housemate. This is easier said than done as there are a slew of different things that you need to do to find a good housemate. You’ll want to be thorough when doing this as living with someone that’s incompatible with you and the living arrangements will cause a lot of problems for you down the line. 

To help you out with this, we thought it would be useful to put together a short article on how to connect with a good housemate. If this is something that you’re interested in learning more about, read on for our beginner’s guide to finding the right housemate.

Determine Your Needs and Deal Breakers

The first thing you’ll want to do is to determine your needs and your deal breakers. By establishing these two things, you’ll be able to accurately sift through potential housemates. When it comes to your needs, make sure that they are reasonable as you may have a hard time locating a good housemate if your standards are too high. When it comes to your dealbreakers make sure that they are really things that you absolutely can’t live with. The last thing you want is to have a list of deal breakers that are composed of minor annoyances. Sharing a house with someone is all about compromise, so it’s best to keep an open mind.

Get the Word Out

Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to get the word out. Make sure to maximize your network so that you can reach as many people as possible. Looking for a housemate within your network is also preferred as it’ll likely be someone you know or an acquaintance of an acquaintance. You’ll also want to utilize the internet and social media as these are the most effective ways to find potential housemates.

Talk to Potential Housemates

Once you’ve found potential housemates, it’s time to sit down and talk to them. This is crucial as this will allow you to have a better feel of the kind of person they are. When it comes to talking to potential housemates, be sure to ask relevant questions that will help you decide whether or not they’ll be good to live with. You should ask questions about what they are looking for in terms of housing and why they are looking for shared housing solutions.

Ask for References

Lastly, you’ll want to make sure to ask them for references. While we aren’t saying you can’t trust them, it’s best to be thorough when it comes to choosing a housemate as you’ll be spending a lot of time with them. For the best results, try to find someone with references that speak highly of them and their character.

Conclusion

We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you find the right housemate. While living with someone you barely know may seem odd, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem as long as you pick a good housemate. Be sure to keep all of the information we’ve listed above in mind so you can find the right housemate for you.

If you’re looking for shared housing in Sacramento, then you’ve come to the right place. We here at Stayhaven Homes are dedicated to helping our clients by providing them with inclusive and affordable housing. We provide a wide variety of special needs housing options for adult men and women. For more information on what we can do for you, visit our website today!

Coliving: What Is It and Why Is It a Trending Housing Type?

Boarding Homes, Group Homes, Halfway Homes, Shared Housing, Transitional Living

Every once in a while, new trends appear in the world of housing. If you’re exploring real estate options, you might have stumbled upon the term “coliving.” People have been living together since the beginning of time, so why is this term continuously popping up?

In this article, you will learn what coliving is, its types, and the benefits you stand to gain that make it the most popular option in recent months.

What Is Coliving?

Coliving is a real estate term that has recently been popularized because of the rise of affordable housing options being offered nowadays. In a coliving situation, a house is shared by five or more adult roommates. The living space can take one of many forms, from a renovated single-family home to a floor in a high-rise building.

When you sign up to be a part of a coliving space, you can work with a short-term, long-term, or flexible lease. Usually, it also comes with added benefits such as professional working areas, utilities, turnkey amenities, and professional cleaning services.

What Are the Types of Coliving?

Communal living can range from individuals deciding to live together, employees of the same organization housed by company owners, and people building intentional communities. 

Here are the common types of coliving:

1. Co-housing

Cohousing communities are multi-generational families living in single-family homes located around a common house. In the shared space, these groups of people can organize events and spend time together. 

2. Co-ops

In cooperative housing, members work in shifts where they clean, cook, and do other errands to manage the household together. Usually, these homes are run in a democratic approach, so they vote on household decisions together.

3. Communes

Communes are intentional communities in rural areas. Most of the time, communes are closed off to the outside world because they are self-sustaining. Additionally, they are usually bound by their political and spiritual beliefs.

4. Informal Shared Housing

Informal coliving arrangements involve a group of people who decide to list a home together. Most of the time, they get to know each other through mutual acquaintances or websites like Craigslist.

What Are the Benefits of Coliving?

Why is coliving becoming more popular? Mainly, it’s because of these three benefits:

1. Affordability

The most compelling reason to try coliving arrangements is that it is affordable. Instead of managing a home’s expenses on your own, you can choose the cheaper alternative in renting with other people. In a shared housing situation, you share the costs of maintaining a home, furniture, and utilities.

2. Convenience

When you live alone, you have the responsibility of processing your needs for your home. You can’t escape the headache of forms and technicalities. For instance, you have to negotiate furnishings, set up utilities, and hire cleaners. When you make coliving arrangements, you won’t have to worry about these things anymore.

3. Community

Finally, coliving offers a chance to meet new people and connect with them. You can expand your horizons and build connections with people who share similar interests with you.

Final Thoughts

Coliving is a great choice if you are looking for a more manageable living option that won’t break the bank. If affordability, convenience, and community matter to you, you should consider coliving for your next living setup.

If you are looking for affordable shared housing arrangements in Stanislaus County, Merced, San Joaquin, or Sacramento, CA, you should check out Stayhaven Homes. We offer affordable and all-inclusive housing options for people looking for safe and comfortable homes. Learn more about our process by booking a call today.

Interesting Facts You Should Know About Shared Housing

Group Homes, Halfway Homes, Shared Housing, Transitional Living, Veteran Housing, Women's Home

Sharing a home with strangers may not sound appealing to many people, but there’s more to shared housing or co-housing than it seems! First, there are no real drawbacks to shared housing. As early as now, we want to tell you that living in a shared home is entirely okay and common. 

For example, many children live in shared quarters. Roommates in urban cities live together, especially in areas with competitive rental markets. While enrolled in classes, college students cohabitate. As such, the ability to live alone is often considered a luxury, especially for those with higher incomes. 

Shared housing could also be a type of community living that may include individuals in recovery, foster children transitioning out of the system, veterans, senior citizens, students, and individuals dealing with legal concerns are a few examples. However, shared housing is not popularly regarded as the best option for people who have been homeless. 

Read on to discover exciting facts you should know about shared housing.

Shared Housing Means Companionship

With shared housing, companionship is guaranteed. Companionship is a highly efficient way to prevent loneliness and depression. It is also less expensive than hiring a complete unit.

Shared Housing Can Be Customized

Shared housing can be modified to the individuals’ needs. People can share houses in a variety of formal and informal methods. For example, shared living arrangements can be tailored to specific demographics or affinity groups, such as families, seniors, singles, and even people in recovery or identify as LGBTQ.

Shared Housing Combats Housing Crises

Both the homeless and the system benefit financially from shared housing. In light of the worldwide housing crisis, communal housing is frequently substantially less expensive than living alone. It lowers per-tenant costs and speeds up the homeless housing system for communities everywhere.

Shared Housing Offers Low-Cost Rent

Shared housing has the potential to improve one’s quality of life. Renters can rent apartments in regions where they would not have been able to afford them otherwise since shared housing costs have fallen. This proximity improves educational opportunities, amenities, career opportunities, and transit options.

Shared Housing Is a Temporary Living Arrangement

Shared housing is not a long-term solution. Shared housing, like other living conditions, is not permanent. It can be a stopover on your route to your own apartment, or it can be a way of life. In either case, shared housing is not a feasible lifestyle option. Beyond this, any service for whether individuals or groups should attempt to place clients in permanent homes.

Conclusion

Again, shared housing does not seem like a viable option for many people, but it ultimately stands as a promising living arrangement, even if only temporarily. If anything, shared living spaces can help homeless persons or displaced communities find a secure residence. The true essence of this living arrangement is for this reason. 

So if you are transitioning from homelessness to finding safe housing, look into shared housing initiatives in your town. This path may help you broaden your options and allow you to think ahead as you discover more long-term solutions.

Are you looking for a room for rent in Modesto? Stayhaven Homes, located in Modesto, California, provides low-cost shared living, rooms and beds. Services for low-income people and groups with particular needs, such as the disabled and veterans. We are committed to providing a secure, economic, all-inclusive lifestyle, which is why properties and services are the best in the city and neighboring areas. Reach out today!

What Are the Different Types of Transitional Housing

Group Homes, Halfway Homes, Shared Housing, Transitional Living, Veteran Housing

Transitional housing provides temporary shelter to portions of the homeless population or people going through a crisis. Some transitional housing focuses on one demographic segment, such as victims of domestic abuse or those recovering from drug addiction. Those who find themselves in a transitional home are given the tools and support necessary to find permanent housing and thrive in their personal lives.

What Are the Types of Transitional Housing?

Many types of transitional housing are meant for specific segments of society. Some of the most common forms include but are not limited to the following:

  • For Families With Low Income

Facilities that specialize in low-income families have the resources and staff that can help both children and parents. Aside from sheltering them, the staff of transitional housing facilities also help parents enroll their kids in schools, obtain health services, become employed, and find permanent housing. There are transitional housing facilities that offer private accommodations or small homes to families in need.

  • For Recovering Addicts

People recovering from an addiction can stay in transitional housing, or what is often called a halfway house. This type of facility can accommodate groups of people where the atmosphere of the residence and the staff’s approach are less intensive than a rehabilitation center. Residents also have more freedom in halfway houses.

Some recovering addicts are free to come and go as long as they follow the facility’s rules. Other halfway homes make residents work during the day, stick to a curfew, and undergo periodic drug tests to ensure sobriety. Some facilities require residents to pay for their rent and living expenses.

A halfway house is important for recovering addicts because they follow a structure or routine that can help speed up their recovery process and reenter society. They can even be given the tools to succeed and find permanent housing.

  • For Veterans Without Homes

Statistics show that 11 percent of the American homeless population is made up of veterans. These former military members face financial challenges and are unable to afford health care. Most of them also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse. Veterans who are homeless or are at the risk of losing their homes have a place they can turn to. Reach out to the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838.

You can also opt for transitional housing from the Volunteers of America. In addition to shelter, the organization will also provide you with the appropriate treatments for addiction and mental health problems.

  • For Victims of Domestic Abuse

Research shows that 1 out of 4 women have been victims of domestic abuse at some point in their life. Fortunately, various organizations offer help to victims, which includes transitional housing. 

For those at risk of becoming homeless and suffering from domestic abuse, do not hesitate to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Final Thoughts

Transitional housing serves as an excellent way to help individuals and families become equipped to support themselves and find permanent housing. These resources are available to those who are facing tough challenges at present. If you are in dire need of help, never hesitate to reach out to the right people so that you can find a transitional housing facility as soon as possible.

Stayhaven Homes offers shared housing services in Modesto, CA. We open our sober shared housing residences to various people, including veterans, people with disabilities, senior citizens, and recovering addicts. We assure you that our area is safe for residents. Contact us today if you are interested in learning more about our affordable, all-inclusive, and drug-free housing in Modesto, CA.