Homeshare
Homesharing Program
As affordable housing has become an increasing challenge across the country, homesharing has emerged as an innovative housing solution. In 2024, Metro Nashville launched a pilot homesharing program in Davidson County with Nesterly, a national homesharing platform and in partnership with GNRC and AgeWell Middle Tennessee.
What is Homesharing?
Homesharing is a living arrangement in which two or more unrelated people share a house or apartment. A homeshare program provides a service that helps to match a person who has an extra room or separate unit available with a trusted individual who is looking for a place to live.
Specifically, intergenerational homesharing matches older homeowners who have a spare bedroom with graduate students (or other adults) who need affordable rent. Rent can be an important source of supplemental income for older homeowners, and shared living fosters intergenerational and often intercultural connections.
Why did Metro Nashville Launch a Homesharing Program?
Understanding the housing and social isolation challenges faced by many older adults, Metro Nashville launched a pilot homesharing initiative designed to help older adults age in place. The initiative seeks to reduce social isolation, provide homeowners with additional income, expand the rental housing market, and offer supportive services to promote independent living.
Supported by American Rescue Plan Act funding, Metro Nashville’s Housing Division has partnered with Nesterly, Inc. to implement the program. Nesterly, along with local partners, the Greater Nashville Regional Council and AgeWell Middle Tennessee are spearheading the region’s first homesharing program. The long-term goal is to create a more age-friendly community that brings generations together to reduce isolation and improve economic security.
Who is Nesterly?
Nesterly is a national, award-winning social enterprise that provides a user-friendly technology platform to match homeowners or hosts with potential tenants. The platform is focused on security and screening potential hosts and tenants and on providing a flexible rental framework for homeowners. Homesharing is not for short-term rentals and is tailored toward tenants seeking housing for 30 days or more.
The Nesterly platform manages listings, helps screen homeowners and renters, and provides an easy way to collect rent that removes the responsibility from the homeowner. For more information about the Nesterly platform, visit Frequently Asked Questions.
Pilot Program Partners
Sign Up to be a Host!
Ready to create your profile on the platform as a host? Visit nesterly.com.
For general inquiries or for assistance creating a profile on Nesterly, please visit their site or call (877) 958-8785.
Learn More
Not quite ready to sign up but want to learn more? Fill out this interest form.
To request a member of the local outreach team present information to your organization, please call 615-862-8828 or contact Peter Westerholm at pwesterholm@gnrc.org.