South San Francisco, CA May 17, 2022 Submitted by HIP HOUSING
Commonly asked questions about the SHARE Program:
For additional questions not answered here, please contact Regina Gssinger, Administrative Manager, Self-Sufficiency Program, at 650-348-6660 x325 or [email protected]
- What is the SHARE program? It’s a housing scholarship for parents who are currently in college or vocational training program. Parents in the SHARE program pay a very low rent ($100 per room) for up to 2 years while living in a SHARE home.
- What is a SHARE home? It’s a large 4-6 bedroom home that is available ONLY to families in the Self-Sufficiency Program. The Self-Sufficiency Program is for parents who are currently in college or vocational training program.
- How many families live in one home? A max of 2-3 families share a home.
- How do I know it’s safe? We screen all applicants to our program by doing a thorough intake and background check. All families in the SHARE homes have to meet the same requirements to live there and be a part of the Self-Sufficiency Program.
- How long can I live there? 18-24 months
- What is the rent? $100 to $140 per room depending the property. The parent has their own room and the children have their own room, on average the families have two rooms total.
- What is the benefit of SHARE? It allows the parent to focus on school full time for two years without having to worry about high rent costs. The parent has a chance to save money, pay off existing debts and increase their credit score.
- Can I work while going to school in SHARE? Yes, in fact many of our parents in SHARE are working either full-time or part-time or they are receiving cash aid/financial aid if they are not working to pay their rent and other expenses.
- Do I have to be in school full time? The short answer is YES. The long answer is dependent upon the family’s educational plan and what’s required to complete it. Some families can finish in two years with a part-time school schedule and some need to go full time to finish their plan in two years.
- Why can’t I have my own apartment? While we have some scholarships where a family can rent their own apartment, there are a couple of determining factors for a scholarship in an apartment: a) availability of scholarships at the time of referral; b) qualifying for a scholarship in an apartment.
- Is the waiting list long and how long will it take for me to move in? The wait list is not long, however it may take 2-6 months for a move in depending on when the next family moves out. Everyone moves in at different times.
- Are pets allowed? Unfortunately, no they are not. Due to a shared living environment, families moving in will need to find other arrangements for their pets during the time they are living in the home.
For additional questions not answered here, please contact Regina Greissinger, Administrative Manager, Self-Sufficiency Program, at 650-348-6660 x325 or [email protected]