109 HRES 864 IH: Recognizing the importance of shared U.S. House of Representatives 2006-06-12 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 109th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 864 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 12, 2006 Mr. Sanders submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform 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

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.