Shared living supports

Shared living is when you share a home with someone who is contracted to provide you with ongoing support to live in your home. They are called the shared living provider. In some shared living situations, you live with one person. In other cases, you live with a couple or a family. 

There are two types of shared living support: 

• Home sharing: This is the most common type of shared living and involves you living in the shared living provider’s home. 
• Live-in support: In this type of shared living support, you receive support in your own home from someone who shares your home with you. 

If you are eligible for CLBC supports and interested in requesting new supports – or reviewing or changing the supports you currently access, a CLBC facilitator can talk to you about shared living options. You have the opportunity to request the type of arrangement that works best for you, depending on what’s available in your area. 

Shared living is the most commonly requested in-home support that CLBC offers. More than 4,000 people currently live in CLBC-funded shared living arrangements. 

This service is provided by service provider agencies. These agencies have been approved for this service by showing they are prepared to provide this support in a way that is high quality and responsive to individuals. 

Shared living might be the only CLBC-funded service you receive or it could be one part of your plan. The kind and amount of support you receive is based on the need for help in specific areas. Visit the Understand CLBC Funding Decisions page for more details.

The benefits of shared living

Ed and Cynthia (left), feel they are the lucky ones to have Chris join their family through shared living. Read their story.

There are many benefits to shared living that can enhance your quality of life:

• Relationships with shared living providers are often close and last many years 
• You can have your own personal space and routine 
• It provides a balance of connection and independence 
• You can invite friends and family to visit. You also help make decisions that are important to you and those with whom you live 
• CLBC regularly checks in with those who deliver this support to make sure things are going well 

How can CLBC help connect me with shared living support?

If you are eligible for CLBC services, a facilitator can talk with you about your options and/or you may want to read more about shared living in this handbook. They can help you develop and initiate a plan to connect with services that are funded by CLBC and other resources in your community. 

CLBC works with service providers across B.C. that are qualified to deliver shared living services. If you are interested in this service, a CLBC facilitator can provide you and your family with information about this in home support and can introduce you to service provides that could offer the kind of support you want and need at this point in your life. 

Once you are connected with an agency, they work with you to find a shared living provider and specific living arrangement that meets your current needs and preferences. 

How does CLBC make sure that shared living is safe?

CLBC and the agencies that contract with shared living providers ensure that all shared living providers have the skills and experience that are required to deliver this kind of support. 

They conduct background checks and comprehensive home studies prior to contracting with any shared living provider. To learn more about what a home study is, read the home sharing handbooks found here.

Service provider staff will check in regularly with you and your shared living provider (usually every few months or more often) to make sure everything is working well. You and your family can also reach out at any time to the shared living provider, the agency that is overseeing the service, or CLBC if you want to discuss concerns or opportunities. 

Talk to a facilitator about shared living

To talk with a CLBC facilitator about shared living, please contact your local CLBC office. A CLBC facilitator can answer any questions you have about this support to live in your home. 

Find your local office contact information here.

Learn more

• Shared Living Handbook 
• Watch Ray and Sarah and Marj’s video 
• Read the Information for Families Sheet on Home Sharing 
• Read a UBC Research Study that shows the positive impacts of home sharing on quality of life 

Interested in becoming a Home Sharing provider?

Learn more about the process of becoming a home sharing provider here.