HIP Housing’s Home Sharing Program Celebrates its 35th Year Anniversary Amid the Region’s

March 26, 2015 — On May 8, 2015, HIP Housing will celebrates the 35th Year Anniversary of its unique and highly regarded Home Sharing Program at its Annual Luncheon hosted by the Waterfront Marriot in Burlingame. The luncheon will feature Daly Show with Jon Stewart’s newest comedian correspondent, Hasan Minhaj.

HIP Housing’s innovative Home Sharing Program matches people who have room in their home with individuals who need of an affordable place to live. By utilizing existing housing, the Home Sharing Program provides an immediate and important option to help with the rising demand for affordable housing. The HIP Housing Program interviews, screens and provides housing assistance to 2,000 people each year.

“We are so proud of our Home Sharing Program. It’s one of the largest in the country and the only one of it’s kind in the Bay Area,” says Kate Comfort Harr, Executive Director of HIP Housing. “For many people desperate to find housing, Home Sharing offers an innovative solution that is mutually beneficial to both home seekers and home providers,” Ms. Comfort Harr continues.

Amid the unprecedented housing crisis currently gripping San Mateo County, the demand for Home Sharing has never been greater. For each person interested in renting a room in there home, there are ten people seeking a home sharing match.

San Mateo County is currently one of the most expensive places to live in the entire United States. The San Mateo County Housing Indicators released in December 2014 cites the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Mateo County at a staggering $2,332/month.

“While rents continue to rise, incomes for lower wage earners have stagnated and production of new affordable housing has ground to a halt,” says Susie Huetteman, Co-President of the HIP Housing Board of Directors. She adds, “Creative housing solutions like Home Sharing are part of what is needed to address our countywide housing crisis.”

Major sponsors of the Luncheon include Boston Private Bank & Trust, Mills Peninsula Health Services, PG&E, and San Mateo Credit Union. Proceeds will benefit HIP Housing’s Home Sharing and Self-Sufficiency programs.

Sources: December 2014, Housing Indicators, San Mateo County Department of Housing.

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About HIP Housing: HIP Housing is a nonprofit specializing in creative affordable housing solutions throughout San Mateo County. At the most challenging time in housing history, HIP Housing helps over 1,400 hard working low-income people to find a decent, affordable place to call home and provides another 3,000 with much needed housing resources. For more information, please visit http://www.HIPHousing.org or call 650.348.6660.