Home Match Pinole
Free Home‑Sharing Services for Home Providers & Home Seekers
The City of Pinole partners with Home Match, operated by Front Porch, through a City service contract to offer home sharing for Pinole residents. Home Match’s application, screening, and supportive services are provided at no cost to the participant. Home Match helps connect people with extra space to individuals seeking a more affordable housing option— creating stable, supportive living arrangements within the community.
What is Home Match?
Home Match connects people who have a spare room, ADU, or JADU with people seeking housing. This approach:
- Supports residents who wish to age in place
- Helps home providers make better use of their space
- Provides a more affordable way to live in the community
- Builds connections and reduces isolation
- Makes efficient use of existing housing stock
- Helps the local workforce find homes close to work
Home sharing is a key strategy in Pinole’s Housing Element Program 11: Home Sharing and Tenant Matching.
How Home Match Works
Home Match provides a streamlined, supportive experience at no cost to Pinole residents. Services include:
- Ongoing support throughout the match
- Preparing and listing rooms, ADUs, or JADUs
- Participant screening
- Personalized introductions
- A comprehensive Living Together Agreement
Who Can Participate?
Home Seekers
If you are looking for a housing option in Pinole and want to:
- Find a budget‑friendly living arrangement within the community
- Live closer to work, school, or family connections
- Explore shared housing as an alternative to rising rental costs
- Receive free personalized matching and ongoing support through Home Match
Home Providers
If you have a spare bedroom, ADU, or JADU and want to:
- Earn supplemental income and make good use of available space
- Stay in your home longer and benefit from shared living
- Receive free support to list your space, screen participants, and meet compatible matches
- Get a comprehensive Living Together Agreement and ongoing support
Pinole’s Commitment to Shared Housing
Home Match aligns with Pinole’s Housing Element goals to expand affordable housing choices and support residents across generations.
Key efforts include:
- Partnerships with organizations such as Home Match to expand shared housing options
- Exploration of additional shared‑housing programs through the Community Services Commission
- Development of how‑to guides for ADUs, JADUs, and shared housing (Housing Element Program 23)
- Outreach through the Pinole Senior Center, community organizations, and local schools
These efforts help seniors, local workers, and residents of all ages find accessible, affordable housing in Pinole.
Get Started with Home Match
Whether you’re offering a space or seeking one, Home Match provides personalized, hands‑on support at no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any protections for landlords? Are there tenant rights in the Home Match program?
Home Match works with participants to mitigate risk of legal issues through vetting, personalized matching, and ongoing
support, including mediation services. They comply with local, state, and federal housing law. They guide participants to
appropriate legal resources when questions arise.
What type of agreement is used?
Home Match offers a template specific to home
sharing, called a Living Together Agreement (LTA). The LTA includes Terms &
Conditions and agreements on shared space.
Does Home Match cover legal fees if a home provider litigates against a home seeker?
No. They guide participants to appropriate legal resources.
Does Home Match adhere to Fair Housing Law?
Home Match conforms to the Fair Housing Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; all participants in the Home Match
program are forbidden from discriminating based on a protected class, including: race, color, national origin, religion, sex
(including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, and disability. Home Provider may express a gender
preference if living areas such as kitchen or bathroom will be shared (Gov. Code §12927).
Can someone who receives rental assistance from outside organizations participate in our Home Match program? If so, what is the process?
Yes. Details would be discussed in the intake process and we would reach out to the organization delivering the rental
assistance to determine their process.
What is a task exchange?
A task exchange is an optional arrangement, requested by the home provider, where a home seeker helps with activities like
errands or gardening for reduced rent. They cannot include caregiving activities.
What are the required screenings?
Each participant needs to fill out an application, provide photo ID, partake in an intake appointment, and do a background
check. Home seekers also need to verify income.
Is there a fee to participate?
Home Match is offered at no cost to all participants. Front Porch receives funding from private foundations, government
contracts, corporate sponsorships, and contributes significant financial resources to the program.
How long does it take to find a match?
Because matches are based on compatibility, rather than a waitlist, timing is highly variable.
Can Co-ops or multi unit buildings participate in Home Match?
No. Home Match is a home sharing program. They work with home providers with extra rooms/In
laws/ADUs and the agreement is between home provider and home seeker.
What does Pinole require from property owners who want to rent out a unit?
Property owners must participate in the City’s Residential Health & Safety Rental Inspection Program and enroll their rental unit before leasing it out.
Does Home Match work with people receiving subsidies?
Yes. Home Match works with people receiving deposits and rent subsidies from third party organizations.
Does the background check screening impact my credit score?
No. It checks for criminal history, bankruptcies, liens, judgements, and evictions.
How does Home Match verify income?
They ask for verifiable income that is at least twice the rent, or comparable savings.
What systems does Home Match use to report progress regarding the number of matches completed, the number of home seekers, home providers registered, outreach, etc.?
Home Match has a robust data tracking system. They report to partners through various tools.
Contact
Home Match
Contra Costa County
Program Director, Home Match Contra Costa County
Logan Robertson
