Service-based housing is a great option for anyone who doesn’t have much money and can give a bit of their time.
Let’s take a closer look at this new idea and the services involved.
What is service-based housing ?
Service-based housing lets students and people on low incomes find a cheap room in someone’s home in exchange for one or more services they provide.
There is a lack of housing and high rent prices in major cities like Paris, Lyon, and Nantes. This has led some associations to promote the idea of people of different ages living together. These arrangements often connect students with older people who may need some help in their daily lives. But there is a problem when people over 27 are no longer eligible for these traditional types of housing.
Luckily, a new platform like ours offers a more inclusive housing solution—without age or profile restrictions. Whether you’re 30, 50, or 70, you can apply for this type of housing. The people hosting you also come from a wide range of backgrounds. That includes single parents, older people, and young professionals who want to learn music or languages. This system of service-based housing is open to everyone.
As long as it is properly organised and supervised, this type of arrangement can only be good for both parties involved.
Services Offered
There are three main types of services that can be offered in exchange for a room in someone’s home :
- Learning-based services :
You can help with homework or offer lessons in music, computer skills, or any other area of learning. In this case, you’re helping to make education more collaborative within a service-based housing arrangement. - Everyday life assistance :
This could be picking up children from school, taking them to lessons, preparing meals, or helping them eat. You can also help older people or people who have difficulty moving around in their daily life. For example by doing the shopping, reading to them, or just being there for them. - Short-term services (weekends or a week) :
There are 67 million people in France and 63 million pets! A surprising number, and yet very few pet owners have proper care solutions. If you want to explore a city or region for a weekend or longer, you can offer to take care of a cat or dog ; like Félix or Médor. Or you could look after a house or garden, and in return you would be given a room or a place to sleep. These services can make renting out your home more accessible.
It’s important to have a clear agreement between you and the person letting you stay. This way, you can enjoy the solidarity housing experience with full peace of mind and a positive spirit.
