[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 864 Introduced in House (IH)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 864

   Recognizing the importance of shared housing in the United States.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 12, 2006

 Mr. Sanders submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                   the Committee on Government Reform

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                               RESOLUTION


 
   Recognizing the importance of shared housing in the United States.

Whereas many people in the United States enjoy the friendships and economies 
        that result from shared housing arrangements;
Whereas communities throughout the United States benefit from the social ties, 
        neighborhood stability, and efficient use of scarce resources that occur 
        when people share housing;
Whereas shared housing programs in the United States include in-home match-up 
        programs, which pair seniors, persons with disabilities, single parents, 
        working professionals, and low-income persons in shared housing 
        arrangements;
Whereas shared housing programs also include shared living residences for elders 
        or other special populations;
Whereas the all-volunteer National Shared Housing Resource Center has a 
        directory of nearly 200 organizations throughout the Nation that provide 
        shared housing opportunities;
Whereas shared housing offers older adults and people with disabilities, single 
        parents, working professionals, and low-income persons a housing 
        alternative that enables them to remain in their communities in housing 
        that is affordable;
Whereas homesharing can promote intergenerational understanding and is mutually 
        beneficial, helping both residents at once;
Whereas a recent study of homesharing arrangements found that homesharing can 
        help elders to feel safer in their homes, to sleep and eat better, to 
        get out in the community more often, to get chores done more easily, and 
        to reduce the need to call on their families for help;
Whereas homesharing provides an economical housing option to people of all ages 
        and can help people during transitional periods, such as after the loss 
        of a spouse or during a period of financial hardship or educational 
        pursuit;
Whereas shared living residences offer meals, housekeeping, laundry, and other 
        types of assistance that promote independence and self-determination for 
        older persons and delay entry into institutional medical settings;
Whereas shared housing programs are sponsored by recognized non-profit community 
        organizations, which carefully screen and monitor applicants to ensure a 
        safe and compatible match and a home-like shared living arrangement; and
Whereas the establishment of a National Shared Housing Week would serve to 
        recognize the importance of shared housing in the United States, to 
        recognize providers of shared housing, and to further the awareness of 
        the people of the United States of the availability, purposes, and 
        benefits of shared housing: Now, therefore be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the establishment of a National Shared Housing 
        Week to recognize the importance of shared housing in the 
        United States and its role in increasing the number of housing 
        units that are affordable and available to the people of the 
        United States; and
            (2) urges the President to issue a proclamation designating 
        such a week and encouraging the people of the United States to 
        observe the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
                                 <all>