FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13, 2024

Mayor Noble Releases HomeShare Program Public Survey

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce that the City of Kingston’s Department of Housing Initiatives is working in partnership with Family of Woodstock, HomeShare Woodstock, and the Kingston Housing Task Force to gauge public interest for a home share program in Kingston.

Family of Woodstock created a home sharing program, HomeShare Woodstock, and is looking at the potential to expand the program into Kingston. The City of Kingston has launched a public interest survey that will be open until March 8, 2024. The survey can be found at https://forms.gle/h6r7nHe2tbBkfC7x7. Printed copies are also available at City Hall, Family of Woodstock at 31 Albany Ave, and the Kingston Library.  A survey in Spanish is available at https://forms.gle/yNeqNoCGEuZQdeAA7.

“We want to find out if home sharing might be part of the many-pronged solution for Kingston’s current housing emergency,” said Mayor Noble. “The public survey will help us gauge whether there is local interest in a home sharing program from both potential home providers and home seekers. The survey is brief and it is not a commitment for participation.”

Home sharing is a mutually beneficial way to address the affordable housing crisis. By connecting homeowners who have extra space with renters, home sharing is one proven way to help both groups who are burdened by housing costs. With a solid “match,” home sharing helps homeowners gain extra income and receive help with tasks while providing an affordable rental for someone in the community.

“Given the ongoing housing emergency, opening up available housing stock is critically important. I believe that a HomeShare Program could benefit those in Kingston who have extra bedrooms in their home and people seeking affordable housing,” said Bartek Starodaj, Director of Housing Initiatives. “I encourage anyone that has feedback on the proposed program or that would like to potentially be involved to respond by March 8.”

HomeShare Woodstock is the state's first free home sharing program outside New York City. As part of Family of Woodstock, HomeShare Woodstock is currently serving towns in the northern part of Ulster County. As of February 2024,  HomeShare Woodstock has seven successful matches benefitting eighteen people. HomeShare Woodstock works hard to make successful matches and follows them, helping with any issues that may come up. HomeShare Woodstock has consulted with dozens of the more than sixty programs in the United States to create its model, and is now helping other communities explore home sharing.

 There are over 60 home sharing programs throughout the United States. Home sharing programs help people to remain in their homes and to age in place and provides for the home seeker housing that is affordable and that values their skills. Home sharing offers the proven benefits of living with others that include increased peace of mind, better health, feelings of safety and security, less anxiety, and greater happiness. 

Mayor Noble established the Department of Housing Initiatives in 2020 to support housing planning in the City of Kingston. The Department manages housing-related grants, supports the construction of new market-rate and affordable housing, develops policies to protect existing residents, and addresses the connection between housing and sustainability, health, and mobility. The Department also reviews the disposition of city-owned property suitable for housing development and collaborates with local and regional housing organizations. Current projects include implementing city-wide rezoning efforts, short-term rental guidelines and many more. Visit https://kingston-ny.gov/housing.