Life Shared

Why do we say Home Companion and not Sharer?

At Life Shared, language is not just about labels, it is about values. That’s why we use the term Home Companion instead of “sharer” when referring to the person who moves in to support and connect with a Home Provider.

“Sharer” might describe the logistics - sharing a home or space. But a Home Companion captures something more meaningful. It reflects the heart of what this arrangement is all about: mutual support, connection, and presence.
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Home Companions are not just housemates, they are people who bring warmth, reliability, and friendship into a household. In return, they benefit from a safe, affordable place to live and the chance to be part of something truly human.
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By using Home Companion, we honour the intention behind Life Shared: building relationships and sharing lives.💙

Home Sharing could be part of the housing solution — but only if we get the rules right.

With millions of spare bedrooms across Australia, informal boarding or home share arrangements could help ease the housing crisis today. But without clear legal protections, both hosts and boarders are left vulnerable.

Our General Manager, Jacinta Duffy, spoke with the ABC about why we need better regulation — not just to unlock housing, but to support ageing in place, community connection, and safe, affordable living.

At Life Shared, we’re working to make regulated, supported home share arrangements a safe and viable option for more Australians — especially older people and those seeking affordable housing.

If you or someone you know could benefit from a regulated monitoring arrangement — as a host or a boarder — please get in touch with us at Life Shared.

Read the article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-12/boarders-legal-rights-victoria-housing-crisis/105865694

We have a lot of spare bedrooms — but boarders' rights are unclear Australia has 13 million spare rooms, according to a census data analysis. Could boarding be a solution to the housing crisis?