The terms "homesharing" and "housesitting" might sound somewhat similar, and in some respects, they are. Both kinds of arrangements offer possible short-term solutions to homelessness or impending homelessness. But they differ in some respects, too.
BENEFITS of HOUSESITTING
Sometimes, a person might be motivated to seek a HOUSESITTING arrangement for reasons pertaining to security. For example, a person going south for the winter (especially if he or she wants to spend the winter in a warmer climate, for reasons pertaining to health or simple physical comfort) might find it desirable for another person to watch over the house in his or her absence. Sometimes, such a person might want the housesitter to take care of the pets, or to periodically make sure that the pipes don't cause a flood as a result of freezing water which causes the pipes to burst. House cleaning on a reasonably regular basis might also be needed, and for most clients, it almost certainly would be needed.
Details might vary from one situation to the next. The number and type of pets, for example. One person might just want to be sure that the fish got fed and the plants got watered. Another person might have more extensive needs.
Regarding security, a house is also less likely to be burglarized if it's being closely and regularly watched, and if it has a "lived in" appearance to serve as a deterrent. The house sitter would almost certainly need to check to be sure that the house was regularly locked up at night and at any time when the house wasn't being occupied. The person might also need to set burglar alarms, and to likewise make sure that things were done in such a way as to avoid false alarms (and related fines).
Obviously, the willingness to submit to a background check would be pretty mandatory in most housesitting arrangements, since one would not want to enter into a relationship which would increase one's vulnerability to crime. It would also be necessary to get a feel for the person, especially with regard to the likelihood (or lack thereof) that the person would abuse the person's trust by having loud drunken parties or doing other similarly undesirable things.
Other specialized services might be needed. For example, a person with a computer being used as a server for a web site might need for someone to perform regular backups, in a prescribed manner. In such cases, the housesitter might need to be familiar with computer operations, to a greater extent than someone else doing that type of work.
Depending on the client, the housesitter might receive remuneration in various forms. In most situations, the compensation consists of having a roof over one's head, without having to pay rent (or very much rent, at any rate). Some particularly prosperous clients might also be able to provide a modest stipend for living expenses. Regardless, the extent of compensation would obviously shape the extent to which the housesitter would need an additional source of income with which to pay for other expenses.
BENEFITS OF HOMESHARING
The primary thing which seems to distinguish house sitting from home sharing is that the former involves an arrangement in which the actual property owners are absent from the property for an extended period of time (although such arrangements may occasionally be applicable to shorter absences as well). As a general rule (though there are exceptions), people who hire house sitters tend to be fairly prosperous, and of course, the desire for companionship is seldom if ever a primary motivator.
Home Sharing, on the other hand, is sometimes motivated by a desire for companionship. (For example, a person who has recently gotten a divorce or lost a spouse to death may find that loneliness is a big problem.)
Or there may be practical tasks which were once performed by the former spouse or the deceased spouse, so there may be a need for someone willing to perform such tasks.
The suitability of each prospective home sharing partner can vary in accordance with needs, and abilities. Gender plays a big role, of course. Most men would prefer home sharing arrangements with other men, and likewise, women generally prefer other women. Of course, gender preference is also relevant.
Finances may play a significant role, in situations where people need help in paying for rent or mortgage payments. But other factors, such as home help (for people with medical problems or issues) may also play a role. Some folks may need someone to shop for them, or drive for them, or do the laundry for them, or cook for them, or combinations of those tasks. People with vision impairments or hearing impairments may also have special needs.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Some house sitting or home sharing arrangements are set up by folks or agencies specializing in setting up and managing such arrangements. Others are set up and managed on a more informal basis. Either way, though, it's usually a good idea to reduce misunderstandings by means of written documents spelling out the obligations of both parties. Such arrangements are not always necessary, but I've learned through practical experiences that it's often a good idea to plan ahead of time, so that folks can't easily complain later that they have been misled.
I'm sharing this information here, because I hope to explore both of these ideas and possibilities, in order to address my own pressing need for housing.
While I am aware of the possibility of staying at a homeless shelter, and while I may end up doing so if worse comes to worst (which it very nearly has), I quite frankly regard that as a very inferior "solution", and I must confess disappointment that the best my church could come up with, when made aware of my pressing housing needs, was to send me to the nearest homeless shelter.
I find it very hard to believe that that is how they would treat Jesus if Jesus came to town and sought their help.
I am not Jesus, or anywhere close to Jesus, but I think that Jesus was thinking of folks like me when he said what he said about "the least of these". (Matthew 25:34-46.) He wasn't saying that one needed to be as perfect as Jesus in order to be treated with compassion. That's exactly the opposite of the point he was making, in my opinion. Why else would he use that word "least"? He was aware of the tendency of some people to make excuses for not treating people compassionately, by finding fault in those in need of help, at every opportunity. But that's the thing about grace. By definition, there's nothing one can do to earn it. Having received grace from God, we ought to likewise be willing to extend it to others.
It appears to me that the church I've been calling "my church" for nearly a year now has very little interest in doing more than the bare minimum (if even that) to help me by addressing my dire housing needs. But I'm hoping that there are Christians in or near Bellingham who understand that we believers need to act on behalf of one another. Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, the church is only as strong as its weakest member.
Let us therefore focus on empowering one another, instead of focusing on finding fault and making excuses for not doing what God's word tells us we ought to do. Preaching an inspiring sermon seems to be relatively easy, judging by the numbers of people who seem to be capable of doing so. But the Bible says we ought to be doers of the word, not just hearers of the word, and I think he'd say the same thing about being a doer of the word versus being a preacher of the word. People learn best when others teach them by example.
If you think that you might be able to help me with my current housing dilemma, via a home sharing arrangement or a house sitting arrangement or whatever, then please contact me by means of sending a message to me via the form in the sidebar of this blog.
