Portland Housing Bureau Home Sharing Pilot
Have a spare room?
Help a trans person find home.
Portland homeowners may receive a $1,000 home sharing grant from United Way of Columbia Willamette while making a real difference in someone's life. We provide the training, mediation, and ongoing support to make home sharing work.
Rent: up to $200/week, utilities included. No security deposits collected.
Free training
Trauma-informed care orientation and cultural competency training for all hosts. About 2 hours total, designed to prepare you for a successful experience.
Built-in mediation
Before move-in, a trained mediator helps you and your tenant negotiate house rules together. When conflicts arise, we're a phone call away.
Ongoing support
Regular check-ins at 2 weeks, 30, 60, and 90 days. Plus wraparound services for your tenant: employment help, healthcare navigation, and community connection.
How it works
Reach out
You contact us. We visit your home and talk about what to expect.
Complete training
About 2 hours, at your own pace. We create your host profile together.
Get matched
A renter chooses you. We mediate a living agreement together before move-in.
Apply for your grant
After 30 days of successful tenancy, you can apply for the $1,000 home sharing grant from United Way of Columbia Willamette. We stay in touch.
Why this matters
26% of trans people avoid shelters entirely due to discrimination. Portland has zero LGBTQ+-specific emergency housing for adults. Your spare room can change that.
Host requirements
- Owner-occupied primary residence in Portland
- Available room meeting habitability standards
- Room not rented in prior 12 months
- Complete 2-hour training program
- Register with Portland's Schedule R
- 12-month minimum commitment
Grant details
- First room$1,000 grant
- Each additional room$500 grant
- When paidAfter 30 days of tenancy
- Rent capUp to $200/week
- UtilitiesIncluded in rent
- Security depositNone collected
- Funded byPortland Housing Bureau
Ready to open your home?
Create a free account to get started. Have questions first? Read our host guide or email safehaven@werqt.org.
503-660-8601 WERQ Together 501(c)(3) 33-4679916